title: Volumetric Growth of the Liver in the Human Fetus: An Anatomical, Hydrostatic, and Statistical Study.
abstract: Using anatomical, hydrostatic, and statistical methods, liver volumes were assessed in 69 human fetuses of both sexes aged 18-30 weeks. No sex differences were found. The median of liver volume achieved by hydrostatic measurements increased from 6.57 cm(3) at 18-21 weeks through 14.36 cm(3) at 22-25 weeks to 20.77 cm(3) at 26-30 weeks, according to the following regression: y = -26.95 + 1.74 × age ± Z × (-3.15 + 0.27 × age). The median of liver volume calculated indirectly according to the formula liver volume = 0.55 × liver length × liver transverse diameter × liver sagittal diameter increased from 12.41 cm(3) at 18-21 weeks through 28.21 cm(3) at 22-25 weeks to 49.69 cm(3) at 26-30 weeks. There was a strong relationship (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) between the liver volumes achieved by hydrostatic (x) and indirect (y) methods, expressed by y = -0.05 + 2.16x ± 7.26. The liver volume should be calculated as follows liver volume = 0.26 × liver length × liver transverse diameter × liver sagittal diameter. The age-specific liver volumes are of great relevance in the evaluation of the normal hepatic growth and the early diagnosis of fetal micro- and macrosomias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szpinda
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paruszewska-Achtel
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Karlowicza 24 Street, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woźniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Karlowicza 24 Street, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Celestyna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mila-Kierzenkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elminowska-Wenda
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dombek
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szpinda
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal Anatomy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Łukasiewicza 1 Street, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badura
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology