Sonographic Correlation of Gestational Age with Fetal Kidney Length

Abstract

Background: Gestational age estimation is one of the most important information conveyed by a sonologist when performing an obstetric ultrasound examination. The traditional fetal biometric parameters, such as biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length (FL), and abdominal circumference become increasingly unreliable for accurate gestational age estimation with advancing pregnancy, especially in 3rd trimester. This study was conducted to assess the role of fetal kidney length (KL) as an alternate parameter to assess gestational age in 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Aim: To assess relationship between sonographic gestational age and fetal KL between 18 and 39 weeks of gestation. Settings and design: Prospective, cross-sectional, single operator study conducted over a period of 1 year in a medical