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Third trimester measurements
Author(s) -
Westerway S. L. C.,
Heard R.,
Morris J.
Publication year - 2001
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.1469-0705.2001.abs18-6.x
Subject(s) - medicine , sonographer , biparietal diameter , ultrasound , amniotic fluid index , reproducibility , umbilical artery , pregnancy , obstetrics , nuclear medicine , head circumference , radiology , amniotic fluid , fetus , gestational age , statistics , genetics , mathematics , biology
Third trimester pregnancy ultrasound for assessment of fetal size/growth is an important examination, which should be undertaken with care. This project looked at inter and intra sonographer measurement reproducibility on women in the final 4 weeks of pregnancy. Measurements taken included the biparietal diameter, occipito‐frontal diameter, head and abdominal circumference, femur and humerus lengths, umbilical artery resistive index, amniotic fluid index and cervical length. Images were captured on an ATL 5000 and transferred to an MO disc. Copies of the disc were distributed to 20 MIA practices that had access to either ATL 5000 or 3000 systems. The disc images were downloaded and all sonographers, including students, measured the fetal parameters as prompted, and recorded the results. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS analysis of variance model ICC 2.1, which enabled comparisons for inter/intra sonographer variations. Paired t ‐test was used to calculate the mean differences seen in repeat measurements by the individual sonographers. The results reflected the degree of experience of the sonographers, particularly with images at difficult angles. The study highlights the importance of standardized measuring protocols and image planes, particularly for patients undergoing ultrasound examinations at different practices.