Estimation of Fetal Weight by Placenta Thickness Using Ultrasonography

Abstract

This was a descriptive study conducted to develop a model for estimation of fetal weight using ultrasound measurements in normal Sudanese pregnant women. 50 pregnant ladies in second and third trimester were enrolled, in period from April to June 2019. The data was collected using special data collection sheet include the following variables; placental thickness, BPD, FL, and AC, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that the BPD ranged from 4.7 - 9.8 with mean (8.09±1.190) and FL ranged (4.1 - 8.3) with mean (6.416±1.107), placenta thickness ranged (1.5 -6.5) with mean (4.074±1.046) and fetal weight ranged (282-3394) with mean (2069.88±891.263). The study found that fetal weight and gestational age had strong positive correlation (r = 0.925) and statistical significantly correlated (p = 0.001), furthermore fetal weight and placenta thickness were significantly correlated (p = 0.001). A significant linear relationship between placenta thickness and fetal weight could be conducted and then the placenta thickness estimates fetal weight, therefore fetal weight = placenta thickness *389.2 + 484.1, there were significant positive correlations between placental thickness and estimated fetal weight in the second and third trimesters (p< 0.05, r = 0.616) the study established a fairly linear relationship between placental thickness and EFW. The study concluded that the placenta thickness could be used to estimate the fetal weight, but the placenta level should be considered.