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[Echographic measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue as fetal growth index]
A C Rossi1, A Vimercati, P Greco
1Clinica Ostetrica II-Univ. Di Bari.
Insights
Ultrasound of fetal adipose tissue in the 3rd trimester can predict fetal growth and birthweight. This method is valuable for both healthy and diabetic pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Obstetrics
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Accurate fetal growth assessment is crucial for managing pregnancy.
- Ultrasound is a primary tool for fetal evaluation.
- Predicting birthweight and growth patterns aids in identifying potential complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of 3rd trimester ultrasound in measuring fetal adipose tissue.
- To determine if fetal adipose tissue measurements can predict fetal growth and birthweight.
- To compare these measurements between uncomplicated and diabetic pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound examination of fetal adipose tissue in the arm, thigh, abdomen, and shoulder during the 3rd trimester.
- Measurements taken at 28-32, 34-38, and 39-41 gestational weeks.
- Correlation of ultrasound parameters with neonatal skinfold measurements and birthweight.
Main Results:
- Limb adipose tissue measurements showed limited predictive value.
- Shoulder ultrasound measurements correlated well with postnatal shoulder skinfolds from 34 weeks.
- Fetuses of diabetic mothers exhibited significantly more adipose tissue compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound assessment of fetal adipose tissue demonstrates predictive value for fetal growth.
- This technique is applicable in both physiological and diabetic pregnancies.
- Fetal adipose tissue measurement via ultrasound can aid in monitoring fetal development.
Objective:
To evaluate, by 3rd trimester ultrasound examination, fetal adipose tissue to predict fetal growth and birthweight.
Patients And Methods:
Thirteen pregnant women (group 1) with uncomplicated pregnancy and 9 diabetic women (group 2) have been enrolled. We have examined adipose tissue at the cross sectional level of arm, thigh and abdomen and at the longitudinal sectional level of shoulder. During 3rd trimester measurements were taken at the beginning (28-32 gestational weeks), at the middle (34-38 gestational weeks) and at term (39-41 gestational weeks). At birth we recorded the skinfolds of arm, thigh and shoulder and the neonatal weight. Subsequently, by regression analyses ultrasound parameters of physiological pregnancies were correlated to skinfolds measurements at birth, while abdomen thickness was compared to birthweight. In addition, ultrasound markers of the physiological pregnancies were compared to those of diabetic pregnancies by the t-test.
Results:
Fetal limbs examination had not a prognostic value at any gestational week. Shoulder ultrasound measurements appeared well correlated to the shoulder skinfold after birth since the 34th week. Diabetic mothers' fetuses presented much more adipose tissue than control cases, particularly of arm and thigh at 28-32 weeks, of shoulder at 34-38 weeks and in all the markers at term pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound examination of fetal adipose tissue seems to have a predictive value for fetal growth both in physiological and diabetic pregnancy.