Fetal transabdominal biometry at 11–14 weeks of gestation
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To establish comprehensive transabdominal ultrasonographic reference ranges for viable normal singleton human fetuses at 11-14 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Single transabdominal ultrasound measurements were taken once per pregnancy at a gestational age of between 11+0 and 14+0 weeks (crown-rump length, 45-84 mm), in viable singleton fetuses with nuchal translucency < or = 3 mm and without detectable structural anomalies, using four standard planes: (i) biparietal diameter (BPD) and fronto-occipital diameter (FOD) resulting in head circumference (HC), anterior horn (Va), posterior horn (Vp), and hemisphere (HEM); (ii) transcerebellar diameter (TCD) and cisterna magna (CM); (iii) abdominal anteroposterior (AAP) and abdominal transverse diameter (ATD) resulting in abdominal circumference (AC); and (iv) femur length (FL). The respective ratios Va/HEM, Vp/HEM, HC/AC, BPD/FL, BPD/FOD, FL/CRL, FL/BPD and FL/AC and the estimated weight were derived. Reference ranges were constructed and the mean and 5th and 95th centiles were plotted against gestation. RESULTS: There was a general increase in biometric parameters with gestation. The ratios for the ventricles vs. hemisphere and BPD/FL ratio decreased while the BPD/FOD and HC/AC ratios remained constant. Analysis of the reference range for BPD/FL was performed in both 167 and 664 fetuses and the results showed almost the identical type of equation, indicating a high degree of accuracy for the growth charts. CONCLUSIONS: We have established comprehensive reference ranges for first-trimester fetal biometry by transabdominal sonography. These charts may have a role in the diagnosis of early onset symmetrical or asymmetrical growth restriction and in the interpretation of measurements in chromosomally abnormal fetuses, and they may help in the detection of skeletal dysplasias or acrania/anencephaly.
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Measurement of the abdominal circumference demonstrates high intra- and inter-observer precision.
“Of note, studies have shown that measurement of the AC demonstrates high intra- and inter-observer precision and should be considered an integral component of first-trimester fetal evaluation [29,30].”
From First-Trimester Ultrasound: A Comparative Review of Guidelines (2026) · cites this paper as [30]
Abdominal circumference should be considered an integral component of first-trimester fetal evaluation.
“Of note, studies have shown that measurement of the AC demonstrates high intra- and inter-observer precision and should be considered an integral component of first-trimester fetal evaluation [29,30].”
From First-Trimester Ultrasound: A Comparative Review of Guidelines (2026) · cites this paper as [30]
Cites
An Analysis of Variance Test for Normality (Complete Samples)
Shapiro, S. S., & Wilk, M. B. (1965) · Biometrika · doi:10.2307/2333709 · Cited by 23,469 · see citing works
Predicting delivery date by ultrasound and last menstrual period in early gestation
Taipale, P. (2001) · Obstetrics & Gynecology · doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01131-5 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
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First-Trimester Ultrasound: A Comparative Review of Guidelines
Boureka, E., Tsakiridis, I., Michos, G., Liberis, A., Giouleka, S., Mamopoulos, A., Kalogiannidis, I., & Dagklis, T. (2026) · Diagnostics · doi:10.3390/diagnostics16111695
- Authors
- Von Kaisenberg, C. S., Fritzer, E., Kühling, H., & Jonat, W.
- Affiliations
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
- Venue
- Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-12
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 564-574
- ISSN
- 0960-7692 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-0705
- OpenAlex
- W1973768193
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Keywords
- fetal biometry, first-trimester ultrasound, transabdominal ultrasound, reference values, biparietal diameter, femur length, head circumference, cisterna magna, abdominal circumference, fetal growth restriction, skeletal dysplasia, anencephaly, acrania, nuchal translucency
- MeSH terms
- Abdomen, Biometry, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Reference Values, Ultrasonography, Prenatal
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