Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 14, Issue 5 327-333, Copyright © 1995 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonographic estimation of fetal liver weight: an additional biometric parameter for assessment of fetal growth
P. Gimondo, P. Mirk, A. La Bella, G. Messina and C. Pizzi
Servizio di Diagnostica per Immagini, Ospedale S. Sebastiano, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
A single fetal ultrasonogram was obtained between the 20th and 40th weeks
of gestation in 327 pregnancies. Fetal body weight was calculated with
standard methods and fetuses were classified as appropriate for gestational
age (303 fetuses), large for gestational age (four fetuses), or small for
gestational age (20 fetuses). Fetal liver weight was estimated on the basis
of longitudinal, anteroposterior, and cephalocaudal liver dimensions
multiplied by a constant (k) of 0.42 determined experimentally in a
previous study of adult livers. Estimated liver weights in appropriate for
gestational age fetuses were not statistically different from published
standards based on autopsy findings (P < 0.005). Similar findings were
obtained in two other normal pregnancies examined serially until delivery.
Estimation of fetal liver weight appears to be an accurate and reproducible
method and may enhance sonographic assessment of fetal growth abnormalities
and conditions with fetal liver involvement.
