Objectives: The objective of the study was to develop reference charts for fetal abdominal circumference and femur length in normal singleton pregnancies. The modality used in the study was by means of ultrasonography which is easily available and safe during the pregnancy.
Method: In this study, we conducted ultrasonography examination in 300 singleton pregnant women coming for routine checkups. Out of various fetal biometric parameters abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were measured and reference charts (10th, 50th, 90th and 95th centiles) for each parameter corresponding to its gestational age were developed.
Results: Age distribution of pregnant women was uniform (p=0.87). Both parameters i.e. AC and FL were found to be in linear correlation with the corresponding gestational age in weeks. Therefore, their use in determining development and age of the fetus is reliable. We compared our reference charts with other studies conducted in European and Chinese population. From which, it is obvious that the data found in Indian population is different from studies conducted in other ethnic population.
Conclusion: Reference charts derived in this study can be used to determine growth and development of fetus depending upon Indian standards. Because ethnicity, race, nutritional and environmental factors are known to impact the fetal development. Most of the health care set ups are using data from the studies conducted in western population. Which may cause misrepresentation of data in diagnosis. Thus can lead to unnecessary medical intervention which may cause burden in limited resources in developing nations like India. Therefore, we conclude that each population should have their own reference charts for fetal biometry.
Keywords: femur length; fetal abdominal circumference; gestational age
Ethical statement: Ethical Clearance Certificate No. AIIMS/IEC/2017/299 dated-29/09/2017
Funding statement: This Study was performed with the understanding and consent of the subjects.