Antro-pyloric canal values from early prematurity to full-term gestational age: an ultrasound study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate antro-pyloric canal dimensions from early prematurity to full-term gestational age.


METHODS
Ninety infants with no signs of regurgitation or vomiting were studied 3-5 days after birth. Their gestational ages ranged from 26 to 41 weeks (mean 33.7 weeks) and the body weight from 670 to 4150 g (mean 2067 g). Antro-pyloric muscle thickness, canal length and canal width were measured.


RESULTS
A positive correlation between gestational age, muscle thickness (R = 0.71, P < 0.001), length (R = 0.63, P < 0.001) and width (R = 0.42, P < 0.001) was found. Furthermore, a positive correlation between body weight, muscle thickness (R = 0.82, P < 0.001) length, (R = 0.67, P < 0.001) and width (R = 0.55, P < 0.001) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that antro-pyloric canal dimensions increase with gestational age. Moreover, it provides normal values for muscle thickness, canal length and canal width from the early gestation to full term.
Argyropoulou
M I
MI
Iaso Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Hadjigeorgi
C G
CG
Kiortsis
D N
DN
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D011708:Pylorus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography