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P21Fetal liver volume in normal and reduced fetal growth
Author(s) -
Boito S.,
Struijk P. C.,
Laudy J.,
Stijnen H. R.,
Wladimiroff J. W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00004-1-21.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , reproducibility , volume (thermodynamics) , coefficient of variation , fetal growth , nuclear medicine , pregnancy , biology , chemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics , genetics , physics
Background To establish reproducibility and normal values for fetal liver volume and its significance in identifying fetal growth restriction relative to head (HC) and abdominal circumference (AC) according to a cross‐sectional study design. Method The measurements were obtained using a Voluson 530‐D for volume scanning. The coefficient of variation (CV) for liver volume scans (t 0 , t 20 min) and liver area tracings (t 0 : 2x; t 20 : 2x) was determined ( n : 20; 23–36 weeks). Normal charts for liver volume, HC, AC were constructed ( n : 60; 22–37 weeks) and related to data from growth‐restricted fetuses (birthweight < P5) ( n : 13; 23–36 weeks). Results CV is 2.9% for volume scans and 1.6% for area tracings. Mean liver volume (P50) ranges between 16.5 mL (± 5.9 (SD)) at 22 weeks and 101.8 mL (± 8.2 (SD)) at 37 weeks. In fetal growth restriction, liver volume, HC and AC expressed as percentage of the normal P50 is 45%, 91% and 83%, respectively. Mean difference in liver size between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and normal fetal development (Z score = Liver volume FGR – P50 normal /SD normal ) is −4.5 ± 1.6 (SD), which is significantly different ( P < 0.05) from HC: − 3.2 ± 1.5 (SD), but not from AC: − 4.3 ± 1.3 (SD). Conclusion Acceptable reproducibility exists for liver volume determinations. Normal liver volume increases 6‐fold at 22–37 weeks. Fetal growth restriction: reduction is more pronounced for liver volume than HC and AC; liver volume is a better discriminator than HC, but not AC.