Hepato - Cephalic Index as a Predictor of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

The aims of this study were to compare ultrasound fetoplacental parameters and to calculate Hepato-Cephalic Index (HCI) as a new predictor of IUGR.

A clinical prospective study was conducted and included 120 pregnant women divided in two groups: non IUGR group included healthy pregnant women (n=60) and IUGR group included pregnant women with preeclampsia and IUGR (n=60). Outcome measures were following ultrasound fetoplacental parameters in fetuses with IUGR and non IUGR: Fetal Liver Length (FLL), Femur Length (FL), Biparietal Diameter (BPD), Placental Maturation by Grannum, Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) and Hepato-Cephalic Index (HCI). Sonography was carried out by probe 3.5 Mhz type MINDRAY DC 7.

The mean of maternal age was 30.0±6.1 years in women with preeclampsia and IUGR and 28.1±5.1 years in healthy pregnant women, p > 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference in values of: FLL (p < 0.001), FL (p = 0.004), BPD (p < 0.001), AFI (p < 0.001), HCI (p < 0.001) between IUGR and non IUGR groups. The most of women with preeclampsia and IUGR had grade III of placental maturation (48.3%). There is a significant association between the placental maturation and the diagnosis, p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant difference in body mass of newborns between IUGR and non IUGR groups, p < 0.001.

In a fetus with IUGR in preeclampsia there is a reduction in FLL, FL, BPD, AFI and HCI and there is a early maturation of the placenta. By measurement of fetoplacental ultrasonic parameters of liver, pregnant women will experience prediction of risk pregnancy (preeclampsia with IUGR) due to hypoxia.