Nomogram of fetal renal growth expressed in length and parenchymal area derived from ultrasound images.
OBJECTIVE
We constructed nomograms of fetal renal length and parenchymal area derived from ultrasound images to develop a standard for normal fetal renal growth.


METHODS
Longitudinal and transverse ultrasound renal images from 216 normal fetuses (16 to 41 weeks of gestation) were evaluated to construct growth charts. We measured the parenchymal area as well as the longitudinal and transverse lengths of each kidney using computer software for image analysis. Data were separately plotted as a mean +/- 2 SD determined by polynomial regression analysis.


RESULTS
Nomograms for a renal growth chart were constructed independently for the right and left fetal kidneys. No statistically significant difference was noted between the right and left renal measurements. The polynomial regression equations for the left renal longitudinal length and parenchymal area, respectively, were y = -0.0002x(3) + 0.0139x(2) - 0.2162 x 2.3929 (r(2) = 0.9842), and y = -0.0009x(3) + 0.0724x(2) - 1.5643 x 11.68 (r(2) = 0.9779). The longitudinal and transverse fetal renal growth curves displayed significant growth associated with gestational age (p <0.001). Our data on left longitudinal renal length exhibited an intermediate level compared to 2 published Western growth charts. However, statistical comparisons revealed the differences were partially, but not universally, significant.


CONCLUSIONS
We present our nomogram of fetal renal growth expressed in length and parenchymal area. To our knowledge this is the first report of a fetal renal growth chart in Asia that includes the parenchymal area. This nomogram may serve as a valuable tool for evaluation of fetal renal growth.
Shin
Jae Sung
JS
Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seo
Yong Soo
YS
Kim
Jong Hwa
JH
Park
Kwan Hyun
KH
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D049451:Nomograms; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*