J Ultrasound Med 2013; 32:2135–2143 | 0278-4297

doi:10.7863/ultra.32.12.2135

Received: March 10, 2013/Revision Requested: April 15, 2013

Revised Manuscript Accepted: May 13, 2013

Charts for Fetal Age Assessment Based on Fetal Sonographic Biometry in a Population From Cali, Colombia

Authors

Freddy Briceño, MD, MSc, Humberto Restrepo, MD, MPH, Ricardo Paredes, MD, Rodrigo Cifuentes, MD, PhD

Source

Children’s Heart Center Nevada, 3006 S Maryland Pkwy, Ste 690, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, USA. Email: hurescan@gmail.com.

Abstract

Objectives—To create reference charts for fetal age assessment based on fetal sonographic biometry in a population of pregnant women living in the third largest city in Colombia and compare them with charts included in ultrasound machines.

Methods—The study data were obtained from women with a single pregnancy and confirmed gestational age between 12 and 40 completed weeks. All women were recruited specifically for the study, and every fetus was measured only once for biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. Polynomial regression models for gestational age as a function of each fetal measurement were fitted to estimate the mean and standard deviation. Percentile curves of gestational age were constructed for each fetal measurement using these regression models.

Results—Biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length were measured in 792 fetuses. Tables and charts of gestational age were derived for each fetal parameter. A cubic polynomial model was the best-fitted regression model to describe the relationships between gestational age and each fetal measurement. The standard deviation was estimated by simple linear regression as a function of each fetal measurement. Comparison of our gestational age mean z scores with those calculated by reference equations showed statistically significant differences (P < .01).

Conclusions—We present a set of reference charts, tables, and formulas for fetal age assessment based on fetal sonographic biometry. The results support the recommendation that these charts and tables could be more appropriate for assessing fetal age in Colombian populations than those currently included in the software of ultrasound machines.

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