Is first-trimester crown-rump length associated with birthweight?
L J Salomon1, S Hourrier, R Fanchin
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paris Descartes University, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris Société Française pour l'Amélioration des Pratiques Echographiques (SFAPE), Paris, France. laurentsalomon@gmail.com
Summary
First-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) Z scores predict birthweight (BW) Z scores. Larger CRL Z scores correlate with higher BW Z scores, indicating early growth variations influence fetal development.
Area of Science:
- Prenatal Medicine
- Fetal Development
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Background:
- Birthweight (BW) Z scores are crucial indicators of fetal growth.
- First-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) is an early measure of embryonic development.
- Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) pregnancies may have different growth patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between first-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) Z scores and subsequent birthweight (BW) Z scores.
- To determine if early embryonic growth, as measured by CRL, predicts final birthweight outcomes.
- To analyze the influence of abnormal first-trimester CRL Z scores on BW Z scores.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 317 ART pregnancies.
- Crown-rump length (CRL) measured in the first trimester by certified operators.
- CRL and BW expressed as Z scores, adjusted for gestational age and gender.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between first-trimester CRL Z scores and BW Z scores (P = 0.001).
- Higher CRL Z scores were associated with increased risks of high birthweight (above 90th centile, 95th centile, and 4000g).
- Lower CRL Z scores were associated with an increased risk of low birthweight (below 10th centile).
Conclusions:
- First-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) variations are significant predictors of birthweight (BW) Z scores.
- Differences in fetal growth trajectories, evident in the first trimester, contribute to variations in BW.
- Early embryonic growth assessment may aid in predicting fetal growth outcomes.
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