Estimation ofGestational Age by Measuring Humerus Length using Ultrasonography

Abstract

This a descriptive study was carried out at ultrasound department in dream hospital in the period from June – august (2019) , in which 70 pregnant women were examined in their late second and third trimesters, with singleton pregnancy, healthy mother and fetus, were examined in their gestational age group (26 Ws up to full term verified clinically by last menstrual period (LMP). The study aimed to assess the reliability of the femoral and humeral length measurement to estimate the gestational age. This study used the real time ultrasound equipments with 3.5 MHZ probe. The study revealed that there was a strong positive correlation between gestational age (LMP) and humeral length. Also strong correlation was found between the gestational age and femoral length, there was no significant difference between humeral length and femoral length. The estimation of gestational age with fetal humeral length and femoral length still remain the most common measurements to assess the fetal growth. The fetal humeral length is an accurate biometry as well as femoral length. Evaluation of gestational age with humeral length and femoral length joined together is more accurate than using femoral length alone. The study recommended that using of Humerus Length measurement in estimating gestational age. Also to give more attention for practicing &training the students, medical staff and technologists about humerus measurement technique of taking Gestational Age from HL in hospital practicing.