Source
Department of Ultrasound, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the relationship between fetal heart circumference and gestational age and (2) to determine the effect, if any, of disturbances in fetal growth on heart circumference.
STUDY DESIGN:
Heart circumference was measured in 262 women with normal gestations (control group) and in two study groups consisting of 52 large-for-gestational age 32 small-for-gestational age fetuses. Standardized, gestational age-adjusted values in the two study groups were compared with normative data provided by the control group.
RESULTS:
There was a close correlation (R2 = 0.94) between heart circumference and gestational age in normally growing fetuses. Disturbances of fetal growth (i.e., macrosomia and growth retardation) were found to have an inconsistent effect on heart circumference.
CONCLUSION:
Heart circumference cannot be used as an independent parameter for gestational age evaluation in fetuses with disturbances of growth.