DETERMINATION OF MEAN FETAL TRANSCEREBELLAR DIAMETER AS A PREDICTIVE BIOMETRIC PARAMETER IN THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY IN CORRELATION WITH FETAL GESTATIONAL AGE

Fetal Transcerebellar Diameter And Gestational Age

Abstract

Objective: To determine mean transcerebellar diameter (TCD) in third trimester of pregnancy on ultrasound as a predictive biometric parameter of gestational age.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from Feb to Aug 2013.
Material and Methods: A total of 100 pregnant women in their third trimester were included in this study. TCD was measured on ultrasound, by identifying the cerebellum in the posterior cranial fossa and measuring it in from outer edge to outer edge.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 26.80 ± 2.71 years. Mean gestational age was 33.18±2.42 weeks. In present study mean TCD was 36.47 ± 4.30 cm. After applying ANOVA test on parity, gestational age and maternal age it revealed that gestational age and TCD (mm) had significant relation (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In the normally developing fetus, the TCD increases in a linear fashion with advancing gestational age. The data of this study suggest fetal TCD on ultrasound is a reliable predictive biometric parameter of gestational age.