Fetal kidney measurement - additional biometric parameter for accurate gestational age assessment

Ultrasound examination - recommended in the prenatal period - allows for an assessment of fetal anatomy and well-being and for monitoring its growth trend. Determining gestational age is important in monitoring the developing fetus. Research is increasingly being conducted in search of further biometric components that may improve ultrasound techniques in terms of predicting the gestational age. It should be noted that a fairly large number of publications focus on the accessibility of fetal kidneys to diagnostic imaging during routine ultrasound examination. The reported study was an attempt to answer the question whether fetal kidney dimensions correlated with gestational age. The obtained results are presented as fetal kidney normograms for particular weeks of gestation.

The study covered by dissertation was conducted among patients hospitalized at the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Zgierz, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Endoscopic Therapy, in the period from 1st April 2019 to 30th November 2019. The study group included patients in a single pregnancy. The control group was not included in the study. The ultrasound examinations, which are the basis of the study, were carried out using the PHILIPS Affiniti 70 ultrasound device, with a frequency of 3.5 MHz transabdominal transducer. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistica 13.1 program.

Kidney dimensions strongly correlated with gestational age. Fetal kidney growth was a linear process in normal pregnancy. Fetal kidney measurements can provide additional biometric parameters for accurate gestational age assessment.