DefinePK

Research Objective

To correlate the mean placental thickness with the gestational age estimated by fetal growth parameters in normal singleton pregnancy.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan, from February to August 2020. Transabdominal ultrasonography using a 3-5 MHz curved array transducer was performed on 100 pregnant women aged 18-35 years with singleton pregnancies (11-39 weeks gestation) and known last menstrual periods. Exclusion criteria included multiple pregnancies, placental anomalies, poor visualization, fetal anomaly or growth retardation, maternal diseases, and unknown LMP. Placental thickness (PT), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were measured. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Obtain Ethical Approval"] --> B["Recruit Participants & Obtain Consent"]
    B --> C["Collect Patient Demographics & LMP"]
    C --> D["Perform Transabdominal Ultrasonography"]
    D --> E["Measure Placental Thickness, BPD, HC, AC, FL"]
    E --> F["Record Measurements"]
    F --> G["Data Analysis using SPSS"]
    G --> H["Correlate PT with GA and Fetal Growth Parameters"]
    H --> I["Draw Conclusions"]                    

Discussion

The study supports the hypothesis that placental thickness is a promising parameter for estimating gestational age due to its linear increase with advancing gestational age. This finding is consistent with previous research. The measurement of placental thickness can serve as an additional essential parameter for estimating gestational age, particularly in cases where routine fetal growth parameters may be less accurate. Abnormal placental thickness for a given gestational age could alert clinicians to potential disease conditions or fetal growth retardation.

Key Findings

A total of 100 women with singleton pregnancies were included. The mean maternal age was 28.10 ± 3.349 years. The mean placental thickness was 29.785 ± 5.700 mm. A significant positive correlation (Pearson Correlation of 0.985, p-value of 0.001) was noted between placental thickness and gestational age. Similar strong positive correlations were observed between placental thickness and other fetal growth parameters (BPD, FL, AC, HC).

Conclusion

Placental thickness has a linear relationship with gestational age. Therefore, placental thickness measured in millimeters can be an additional essential parameter for estimating gestational age.

Fact Check

- The study included 100 women with singleton pregnancies. (Confirmed in Results)
- The mean placental thickness was 29.785 ± 5.700 mm. (Confirmed in Results)
- A significant positive correlation of placental thickness with gestational age was noted with a Pearson Correlation of 0.985 and a p-value of 0.001. (Confirmed in Results)

Mind Map