The efficacy assessment of thigh volume in predicting intrauterine fetal growth restriction by three-dimensional ultrasound.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important issue in perinatology. To assess the efficacy of fetal thigh volume (ThVol) in predicting IUGR, we undertook a prospective cross-sectional study using quantitative 3-D ultrasound (US). During the study period, 30 fetuses with IUGR and 282 fetuses with non-IUGR were included for the ThVol assessment in utero by 3-D US. All the fetuses were singletons and had follow-up to the delivery to determine whether they were complicated with IUGR or not. Our results showed fetal ThVol assessed by 3-D US can differentiate fetuses with IUGR from fetuses with non-IUGR well. Using the 10th percentile as the screening threshold, the sensitivity of fetal ThVol in predicting IUGR was 86.6%, with specificity 91.1%, predictive value of positive test 51.0%, predictive value of negative test 98.5% and accuracy 90.7%. In conclusion, fetal ThVol assessed by quantitative 3-D US can be used to predict fetuses with IUGR antenatally. We believe fetal ThVol assessment by 3-D US would be a useful test in detecting fetuses with IUGR.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chiung-Hsin
CH
Chang
Chen-Hsiang
CH
Yu
Huei-Chen
HC
Ko
Chu-Ling
CL
Chen
Fong-Ming
FM
Chang
D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013848:Thigh / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods