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Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(8): 641-648
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1249367
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Nomogram of Fetal Liver Volume by Three-Dimensional Ultrasonography at 27 to 38 Weeks of Pregnancy Using a New Multiplanar Technique

Maria Christina dos Santos Rizzi1 , Edward Araujo Júnior1 , Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza1 , Angélica Lemos Debs Diniz2 , Liliam Cristine Rolo1 , Antonio Fernandes Moron1
  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • 2Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Publication History

Publication Date:
02 March 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We sought to establish normative data for fetal liver volume (FLV) between 27 and 38 weeks' gestation using three-dimensional ultrasonography. The study design was a longitudinal prospective study involving 53 participants. A total of 250 FLV measurements were obtained, using the multiplanar method with 3.0-mm intervals. Polynomial regressions with adjustments using the determination coefficient (R 2) were used to assess the correlation between FLV and gestational age (GA) and fetal parameters (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and estimated fetal weight). The mean, standard deviation, and median, minimum, and maximum values were calculated for each gestational age. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine inter- and intraobserver reliability. There was a high correlation between FLV and GA. The mean FLV went from 43.5 ± 7.6 cm3 (29.1 to 62.2 cm3) to 130.5 ± 20.1 cm3 (87.5 to 191.1 cm3). There was a high correlation between FLV and all fetal biometric parameters (all p < 0.0001). Intraobserver and interobserver correlations were excellent with an ICC = 0.993 and 0.984, respectively. There was a high correlation between GA and biometric parameters. Reference limits were generated for FLV between 27 and 38 weeks. FLV is highly reproducible.

KEYWORDS

Fetus - liver volume - nomogram - three-dimensional ultrasound

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Edward Araujo JúniorPh.D. 

Rua Carlos Weber, 950 apto. 113 Visage

Alto da Lapa, São Paulo–SP, Brazil CEP 05303-000

Email: araujojred@terra.com.br

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