Abstract

Background: The study of the measurement of various morphometric parameters of the developing fetus is of immense importance to monitor the adequate fetal growth. Various literature regarding the standard reference fetal biometric charts and table for the monitoring of the fetal growth are available which is dependent on different races, demographic characteristics, and nutrition.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to establish a reference range of the fetal weight (FW) and various fetal biometric parameters in the fetuses of the Gujarati population.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 25 fetuses at gestational age from 27 to 40 weeks. The fetuses were studied for various parameters such as FW, crown to rump length (CRL), crown to heel length (CHL), and head circumferences (HC).

Results: There was increase in body weight and CRL, CHL, and HC with increasing gestational age. CRL and HC increase at similar rate. CRL and CHL ratio is roughly 2:3. The growth of various parameters was linear. The fetuses of 27–32 weeks of gestational age were found to have mean weight, CRL, and HC to be 1099.42 g, 267, 432.5, and 273.17 mm, respectively, whereas the means of the same parameters for the age group of 33–40 weeks were 2474.61 gm, 321.61, 461.92, and 330.54 mm, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study establishes the standard reference values of FW and various fetal biometric parameters such as CRL, CHL, and HC for the Gujarati population for the second trimester of pregnancy. This could be a very useful tool to gynecologist to have a reference for the age estimation during the antenatal examination as well as to pathologists while performing the fetal autopsies.

Key words: Fetal Biometry; Fetal Weight; Crown-rump Length; Crown-heel Length; Head Circumference