Sonographic Correlation of Fetal Foot Length as a Reliable Parameter for Estimation of Gestational Age in 2ND and 3RD Trimester

Abstract

Objective: To sonographic correlation fetal foot length as a reliable parameter for estimation of gestational age in 2^nd and 3^rd trimester.

Study Design: An analytical cross-sectional prospective study was performed.

Settings: The study was performed in Meer Children and family clinic, Tajpora Lahore.

Period: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 October, 2021 to 15 January, 2021.

Material & Methods: The present study is conducted in the in the Meer Children and Family Clinic Tajpura Lahore .In pregnant women attending the OPD during 2^nd and 3^rd trimester for routine checkups. The present study done in 60 normal pregnant women who were sure about their last menstrual period, have regular menstrual cycle, not experienced any vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonographic fetal foot length measurements was done without previous knowledge of gestational age and then the gestational age confirmed by biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and head circumference .

Results: The present study is conducted in 63 pragnent women between 15 to 35 weeks  of gestational age attending the OPD for 2^nd and 3^rd trimester routine checkups the  in the Meer Children and Family Clinic Tajpura Lahore . Sonographically we calculated foot length from 15 to 35 weeks of gestation. In our study to Early  age at which fetal foot length could be seen and measured sonographically was found to be 15 weeks of  gestation age. In 27 weeks of gestational age and mean foot length 83.67 with std. deviation 5.718 and std. Error Mean -720 and the mean value of foot length by gestational age is 93.33 with std. deviation and std. error mean 338.740 and 42.677 respectivly.  Along with foot length bipraietal diameter(BPD),Abdominal circumference(AC),head circumference(HC) also measured for comparison.

Conclusion: In the normal growing fetus the fetal foot length increases with increasing gestational age. Fetal foot length is a good parameter for gestational age especially in cases of femur achondroplasia, dolichocephaly or brachycephaly and in cases who are not sure about their L.M.P. Fetal foot length is  used as an investigational implement  to measured  of gestational age in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Fetal foot length was especially useful when other parameters did not correctly estimate gestational age, e.g., in cases of short-limb dwarfism hydrocephalus or anencephaly.

Keywords: Gestational age, Fetal foot length, Ultrasonographically age estimation

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/93-04

Publication date:September 30^th 2021