Association of Placental Thickness and Estimated Fetal Weight in pregnant Sudanese Women

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the relationship between the placental thickness and estimated fetal weight in normal Sudanese pregnant women. The data collected in Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Omdurman from November 2014 to February 2015. Fifty two pregnant women in second and third trimesters were scanned by ultrasound machine Toshiba-power vision-6000. Fetal weight was estimated by measurement of biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal circumference (AC). Placental thickness was measured in a longitudinal section at the point of insertion of the umbilical cord. The data is analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results of the study showed that there is strong positive correlation between placental thickness and estimated fetal weight (r = 0.836) and (p = 0.01) and both are firmly increased with fetal age. The results also showed linear regression between them. The study showed that the fetal weight increases by 126 gm / each one mm of placenta thickness. Researcher noticed that with the same Placental thickness there were different fetal weights. However, the normality of fetal weight and fetal development can be followed by measuring Placental thickness.