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Foetal biometry in polyhydramnios: Does femur length fall behind?
Ali Ipek1, Ilkay S Idilman1, Aydın Kurt2
1a Ankara Atatürk Education and Research Hospital , Department of Radiology , Ankara , Turkey.
Insights
Polyhydramnios in pregnancy affects fetal growth. Fetal biparietal diameter and abdominal circumference percentiles increase, while femur length percentiles decrease, particularly in overgrown fetuses.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Polyhydramnios, characterized by excessive amniotic fluid, can impact fetal development.
- Understanding fetal growth patterns in polyhydramnios is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific fetal growth patterns in singleton pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios.
- To analyze pregnancy outcomes in relation to observed fetal growth features.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 108 singleton pregnancies with polyhydramnios.
- Analysis of changes in biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) percentiles from the second to third trimester.
- Comparison of growth features between overgrown and non-overgrown fetal groups.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in BPD and AC percentiles was observed from the second to third trimester (p = 0.023 and 0.05, respectively).
- A significant decrease in FL percentiles was noted in the third trimester compared to the second (p = 0.006).
- In overgrown fetuses (n=52), a lower FL/BPD ratio was found (p < 0.001), with more cases below 71 (p = 0.05), without evidence of skeletal dysplasia.
Conclusions:
- Polyhydramnios is associated with distinct fetal growth alterations, including increased BPD and AC, and decreased FL percentiles.
- Overgrown fetuses in polyhydramnios exhibit shorter femur lengths and lower FL/BPD ratios, independent of skeletal dysplasia.
Abstract:
We aimed to identify the growth patterns in polyhydramnios, and therefore evaluated 108 singleton pregnancies complicated with polyhydramnios according to the changes in biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) percentiles. The pregnancy outcomes according to the growth features were analysed. In the study population, BPD and AC percentiles exhibited a significant increase (p = 0.023 and 0.05, respectively), although FL percentiles showed a significant decrease (p = 0.006) according to the changes in third trimester relative to second trimester. In the overgrown group (n = 52), the FL/BPD ratio was lower (p < 0.001), with more foetuses with FL/BPD ratios below 71 (p = 0.05). In conclusion, there was a significant increase in BPD and AC percentiles and a decrease in FL percentiles in third trimester relative to second trimester in foetuses with polyhydramnios. However, we observed a shorter FL and a lower FL/BPD ratio without associated skeletal dysplasia in overgrown foetuses.
