First trimester pregnancy volumes and subsequent small for gestational age fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether in the first trimester, placental, gestational sac and fetal volumes are different in pregnancies that result in small for gestational age (SGA) compared to average for gestational age (AGA) neonates.


METHODS
Case-control study comparing first trimester 3D volumes of the placenta, the fetus and the gestational sac between SGA and AGA pregnancies. 3D volumes were acquired for quality assurance and documentation. Pregnancy volumes were calculated by the virtual organ computer-aided analysis technique. Linear regression analysis was used to compute a normal range for the placental, gestational sac and fetal volume based on the crown rump length (CRL) in AGA pregnancies. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine significant influencing covariates. A Student's t test was used to compare the difference between the SGA and AGA group.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 19 first trimester pregnancies with subsequent SGA neonates and 105 control pregnancies. In the AGA group, all pregnancy volumes were significantly dependent on the CRL. After controlling the CRL effect, the placental, gestational sac and fetal volumes were not significantly different between the SGA and AGA group.


CONCLUSIONS
First trimester 3D pregnancy volume measurements are not different in SGA or AGA pregnancies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Markus
M
Hoopmann
Svenja
S
Schermuly
Harald
H
Abele
Wolfgang
W
Zubke
Karl Oliver
KO
Kagan
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D058746:Gestational Sac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods