Fetal heart circumference as a predictor of menstrual age in fetuses affected by disturbances in growth.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the relationship between fetal heart circumference and gestational age and (2) to determine the effect, if any, of disturbances in fetal growth on heart circumference.


METHODS
Heart circumference was measured in 262 women with normal gestations (control group) and in two study groups consisting of 52 large-for-gestational age 32 small-for-gestational age fetuses. Standardized, gestational age-adjusted values in the two study groups were compared with normative data provided by the control group.


RESULTS
There was a close correlation (R2 = 0.94) between heart circumference and gestational age in normally growing fetuses. Disturbances of fetal growth (i.e., macrosomia and growth retardation) were found to have an inconsistent effect on heart circumference.


CONCLUSIONS
Heart circumference cannot be used as an independent parameter for gestational age evaluation in fetuses with disturbances of growth.
Hill
L M
LM
Department of Ultrasound, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Guzick
D
D
Peterson
C
C
DiNofrio
D
D
Maloney
J
J
Nedzeksy
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal