[Orbital diameter, inner and outer orbital distance. A growth model of fetal orbital measurements].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of this study was to establish a growth model for the intrauterine growth of the following fetal parameters: orbital diameter, interorbital and biocular diameters.


METHODS
Data were measured in a prospective cross-sectional study with real-time ultrasound. The study group consisted of 1090 healthy fetuses between 12 and 41 weeks gestation. For curve standardisation a growth model for all parameters was used.


RESULTS
Using this growth model growth profiles (5., 50., and 95. percentiles) were established. All orbital parameters showed a nonlinear growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Since ocular and orbital malformations (anophthalmia, microphthalmia, hypo- and hypertelorism) are often principal signs of generalised syndromes, orbital biometry is helpful for a detailed prenatal investigation of the fetal face. This is demonstrated in 2 cases with an orbital malformation (orbital hypoplasia, hypotelorism).
Merz
E
E
Universitäts-Frauenklinik Mainz.
Wellek
S
S
Püttmann
S
S
Bahlmann
F
F
Weber
G
G
D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal