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Growth velocity of some fetal parameters. II. Body weight, body length and head circumference
A M Guihard-Costa1, J C Larroche
1CNRS URA 49, Collège de France et Laboratoire d'Anthropologie, Musée de l'Homme, Paris.
Insights
This study charts fetal growth rates for body weight, length, and head circumference in 478 fetuses. Growth patterns show distinct changes, with a notable slowdown before birth and a late-term revival in most parameters.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Developmental Biology
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Understanding fetal growth dynamics is crucial for identifying growth abnormalities.
- Previous studies have indicated varying growth patterns for different fetal parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish fetal growth velocities for key parameters (body weight, crown-heel length, crown-rump length, head circumference).
- To analyze and visualize these growth rates across gestational weeks (8-41 weeks).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 478 normal fetuses and neonates.
- Computation of growth rates at specific time intervals.
- Plotting of velocity curves with 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- Body weight growth accelerated until 34-35 weeks, then slowed.
- Crown-heel and crown-rump length growth velocities decreased throughout pregnancy, with a sharp decline at 35 weeks.
- Head circumference growth velocity decreased irregularly.
- A late-term growth revival was observed around 38 weeks for most parameters.
Conclusions:
- Fetal growth velocity exhibits distinct, non-linear patterns throughout gestation.
- These observed changes in growth rhythm align with previous ultrasound findings.
- The study provides a detailed reference for normal fetal growth velocity patterns.
Abstract:
In this study, fetal growth velocities of the body weight, crown-heel length, crown-rump length and head circumference were established from 478 normal fetuses and neonates, aged 8-41 gestational weeks. The growth rates were computed by time intervals, and the velocity curves were plotted with their 95% confidence intervals. The body weight displayed an accelerating pattern of growth until 34-35 weeks and a breakdown of the growth rate afterwards, as we already observed for the brain weight in another study published in Biology of the Neonate. Decreasing patterns of growth velocity throughout pregnancy were observed for the crown-heel and the crown-rump lengths, with a marked fall at 35 weeks. The growth velocity curve of the head circumference is also decreasing, but in a more irregular way. A curious revival of growth velocity was observed in most parameters at about 38 weeks. These changes in the growth rhythm were similar to those found previously with ultrasound data.