title: Fetal scapular length in the ultrasonographic assessment of gestational age.
abstract: A prospective cross-sectional study of 515 singleton fetuses of ages between 15 and 42 weeks' gestation was performed. At gestational ages greater than 26 weeks, only fetuses with a sonographic estimated fetal weight between the 10th and 90th percentiles for growth were included. Scapular length (cm) as a function of gestational age (weeks) was expressed by the regression equation: SL = 0.3289 + 0.9553 (GA) with a Pearson correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.942. This study defines the normal limits of scapular length, demonstrates a high correlation between scapular length, gestational age, and other standard measurements of fetal growth, and indicates that scapular length can predict gestational age in fetuses with normal growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Plessinger
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal