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Published on: February 2, 2015
Association of fetal ultrasound anthropometric parameters with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of age
Sowmya C Karantha1, Ravi P Upadhyay1, Abhinav Jain2
1Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Fetal transcerebellar diameter measurements during pregnancy may help predict a child's motor development. This study found a link between transcerebellar diameter and motor skills, but not severe neurodevelopmental impairment.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Fetal Ultrasound
Background:
- Limited research exists on fetal anthropometry and infant neurodevelopment.
- This study addresses this gap using data from a large community-based randomized controlled trial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ultrasound-derived fetal anthropometric parameters and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants.
- To determine if fetal measurements can predict neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of 1465 mother-child dyads.
- Fetal measurements (head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, biparietal diameter, transcerebellar diameter) obtained at 26-28 weeks gestation.
- Neurodevelopment assessed at 24 months of age.
Main Results:
- A positive association was observed between transcerebellar diameter z-score and motor composite score (+0.54 units).
- No fetal anthropometric parameters were significantly associated with the risk of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment when analyzed categorically.
Conclusions:
- Transcerebellar diameter may serve as a potential biomarker for early prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore clinical applications.
Background:
There is a paucity of studies which have examined associations between ultrasound based fetal anthropometric parameters and neurodevelopment in all infants. We examined the association between ultrasound based fetal anthropometric parameters and neurodevelopment in all infants through a secondary analysis of data collected in a large community based randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
A total of 1465 mother-child dyads were included. Ultrasound based fetal anthropometric parameters which included the head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), biparietal diameter (BPD) and transcerebellar diameter (TCD) were collected at 26-28 weeks of gestation and their association with neurodevelopment at 24 months of age was examined.
Results:
Only the transcerebellar diameter z score was positively associated +0.54 units (95% CI: 0.15, 0.93) with motor composite score. When the neurodevelopment outcomes were analyzed as categorical, none of the fetal variables were associated with risk of moderate to severe neurodevelopment impairment.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that transcerebellar diameter could be useful for early prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood.
Clinical Trial Registration:
Clinical trial registration of Women and Infants Integrated Interventions for Growth Study Clinical Trial Registry-India, #CTRI/2017/06/008908; Registered on: 23/06/2017, (http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=19339&EncHid=&userName=society%20for%20applied%20studies).
