[Growth of the fetal thyroid gland in the 2nd half of pregnancy--biometric ultrasound studies].
OBJECTIVE
Determination of normal values for fetal thyroid size in the 2nd half of pregnancy.


METHODS
In 211 pregnant women (completed 20th to 41st week for pregnancy) without thyroid disease the fetal thyroid was measured and characterized by 5 parameters: right lobe transverse and p.a. diameter, left lobe transverse and p.a. diameter, right lobe and left lobe transverse including trachea. The level of measurement was a horizontal section of the neck with circular image of the trachea (centrally) and with the carotids as lateral limiting markers.


RESULTS
The trend lines and regression coefficients of the parameters are shown in relation to week of pregnancy. The transverse diameter of both thyroid lobes including the trachea grows from 10 mm (20th week of pregnancy) to 20 mm (40th week of pregnancy). The transverse and p.a. diameters of either lobe double in the 2nd half of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The normal values presented can help in early diagnosis of fetal thyroid hypertrophy.
Meinel
K
K
St. Elisabeth-Krankenhaus Leipzig.
Döring
K
K
D000886:Anthropometry; D002508:Cephalometry; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012016:Reference Values; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Wachstum der fetalen Schilddrüse in der II. Schwangerschaftshälfte-Sonographisch-biometrische Untersuchungen.