Estimating fetal age: effect of head shape on BPD
Abstract
Several recent obstetrical sonographic examinations in this department demonstrated that variations in the shape of the fetal skull (e.g., dolichocephaly, brachycephaly) may adversely affect the accuracy of the biparietal diameter (BPD) measurement in estimating fetal age. In each case the cephalic index of the fetal skull (short axis/long axis x 100) was in either the dolichocephalic or brachycephalic range based on established postnatal criteria. Consequently, normal values were determined (mean, 78.3) for the cephalic index in utero based on 316 obstetrical sonographic studies performed at 14--40 weeks. Preliminary experience indicates that a cephalic index greater than 1 SD from the mean (less than 74, greater than 83) may be associated with a significant alteration in the BPD measurement expected for a given gestational age, and that the head circumference can be used effectively as an alternative means of establishing gestational age.
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Abnormal head shape can lead to inaccurate estimates of fetal age when BPD is used; in these cases, HC measurements are more reliable.
“This finding can also lead to inaccurate estimates of fetal age when the BPD is used; in these cases, HC measurements are even more reliable 20,21 .”
From <scp>ISUOG</scp> Practice Guidelines (updated): performance of the routine mid‐trimester fetal ultrasound scan (2022) · cites this paper as [21]
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References 9 · Cited by 160
- Authors
- Hadlock, F., Deter, R., Carpenter, R., & Park, S.
- Venue
- American Journal of Roentgenology
- Publisher
- American Roentgen Ray Society
- Published
- 1981-07-01
- Volume
- 137
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 83-85
- ISSN
- 0002-9580 (ISSN-L)
- 0361-803X
- 1546-3141
- OpenAlex
- W1976887556
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 7.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Roentgenology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Keywords
- fetal age estimation, biparietal diameter, cephalic index, dolichocephaly, brachycephaly, head circumference, gestational age, fetal skull, prenatal ultrasound
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Determination by Skeleton, Female, Gestational Age, Humans, Pregnancy, Skull, Ultrasonics
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