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The fetal mandible: an in utero sonographic evaluation between 11 and 31 weeks' gestation
Author(s) -
Zalel Yaron,
Gindes Liat,
Achiron Reuven
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1363
Subject(s) - in utero , gestation , fetus , medicine , obstetrics , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , pregnancy , biology , genetics , botany , genus
Objective To construct a growth chart of the mandible throughout gestation. Methods A prospective cross‐sectional study of normal singleton pregnancies was conducted. Measurements of the fetal mandibular transverse and antero‐posterior diameters were performed with high‐resolution transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography in 490 pregnant women with singleton low‐risk pregnancies between 11 and 31 weeks' gestation. Results The mandibular transverse and antero‐posterior diameters were recorded by week of gestation and the ratio was calculated: mandibular ratio (MR) = 1.7759 − 0.01047 × gestational week. There was a negative linear correlation (−1.047%) for each incoming week of gestation. Normal values (±1SD and 2SD) were established. Conclusion The present data provides a normal range of fetal mandibular diameters during normal pregnancies and introduces a new parameter, the mandibular ratio, for the intrauterine assessment of the fetal mandibular development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.