Three-dimensional ultrasound using the VOCAL technique for estimation of reference values of fetal thigh volume in normally grown Egyptian fetuses from 20 to 41 weeks

Abstract

Objective: To establish the normal reference values for the fetal thigh volume (FTV) of normally grown Egyptian fetuses using three-dimensional (3D) virtual organ computer aided analysis (VOCAL) method.

Patients and methods: A total of 334 Egyptian pregnant women carrying a singleton living normally grown fetus between the 20th and the 41st weeks of gestation were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. FTV was measured using the 3D VOCAL method with 30° rotation. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated based on Hadlock formula.

Results: FTV correlated strongly with gestational age (r = 0.921, p < 0.001) and EFW (r = 0.891, p < 0.001). For clinical application, a nomogram of growth percentiles of FTV was produced.

Conclusion: Reference values of FTV between 20th and 41st weeks of gestation in normally grown Egyptian fetuses were provided using the 3D VOCAL method. These data may be helpful to assess fetal growth and to diagnose deviation from normal.

• 3D VOCAL
• Egyptian fetuses
• fetal thigh volume
• reference values