Fetal biometry charts for normal pregnant women in northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: 1) To construct normal fetal biometry charts of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) from 14 to 41 weeks of gestation in northeastern Thailand. 2) To compare the results with other studies.

Study design: A cross sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Division of Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University.

Material and method: The fetuses of 635 pregnant women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy between 14 and 41 weeks of gestation in northeastern Thailand from 1 October 2005 to 31 December 2006. All recruited pregnant women enrolled had an abdominal ultrasonography for fetal biometry and the results were compared with other studies using student's T distribution.

Main outcome measures: Fetal biometry charts for normal pregnant women between 14 and 41 weeks of gestation in northeastern Thailand.

Results: Six hundred and twenty eight normal fetuses from 635 pregnant women were measured for fetal biometry charts. The comparison of the presented charts with others was significantly larger than the North in all parameters (except AC), but was consistent to those from the South (only BPD and FL). However when the authors compared then with central Thailand and Western countries, there were only significant differences in some gestational ages.

Conclusion: The authors established normal fetal biometry charts for northeastern Thai pregnant women that could be implemented in the population of this region.