Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Fetal brain asymmetry: in utero sonographic study of normal fetuses
Zvi Kivilevitch1, Reuven Achiron, Yaron Zalel
1Ultrasound Unit, Maccabi Health Services, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to evaluate the magnitude of normal fetal brain asymmetry.
Study Design:
This was a prospective study. Normal fetuses between 19-28 weeks of gestation were studied. The cerebral atria, occipital cortex, and hemispheres in both sides were measured. The difference between each side was evaluated and was correlated with sex, head biometry, and estimated weight.
Results:
Four hundred six fetuses were studied. Mean atrial width was larger in the males and on the left side (5.2% and 6.5%, respectively). Mean cortical width was 2.6% larger in males but 5.5% thinner on the left side. Mean hemisphere width was larger in males and on the left side (2.3% and 1.5%, respectively). The atria and the cortex presented an inverse relationship regarding fetal growth parameters.
Conclusion:
Brain asymmetry represents normal fetal brain developmental phenomena. It is sex dependent and lateralized in most cases to the left. Lateralization was more accentuated in males.
