Sonographic nomogram of the fetal calf between 15 and 42 weeks' gestation using 3-dimensional sonography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to establish a new reference growth chart of calf muscle biometric measurements throughout gestation in normal singleton pregnancies.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was designed. One hundred pregnant women were included in the study and assessed by 3-dimensional sonography. Excluded were those with multiple pregnancies, congenital anomalies, abnormal karyotypes, and polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios. Three-dimensional multiplanar sonographic images were used to measure the calf muscles: soleus, gastrocnemius, popliteal, peroneus longus, and tibialis posterior.


RESULTS
Calf muscle widths increased with increasing gestational age (R(2) = 0.857; P < .0001), and the ratio between calf muscles and the tibia increased as well (R(2) = 0.356; P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The data provide a nomogram of calf width with a direct correlation between muscle growth and gestational age. This nomogram can offer a basis for normal calf development and may assist in distinguishing between different etiologies leading to clubfoot and other joint contractures associated with calf atrophy.
Hershkovitz
Reli
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, 84101 Be'er Sheva, Israel. ralikah@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Tepper
Ronnie
R
D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D049451:Nomograms; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*