[Fetal kidney screening: growth curves and indices]

Kidney size was measured ultrasonographically in a cross-sectional study of 612 foetuses. Values of the length (Nlgs), width (Nqu), thickness (Nap) as well as cross-sectional area (Nqu-Fl) of the kidney were calculated by statistical means and correlated to gestational age. Because of the great biological variance, the ratio of kidney length and width to the thorax width and the ratio of kidney area to the thorax area, was calculated and the standard deviation was found to be very small. The ratios for growth-retarded and macrosomic foetuses from diabetic mothers were examined. The results are discussed and the syndromes, which is often associated with renal abnormality are tabulated.