ABSTRACT
Background: The weight of the foetus is an important factor to consider when determining the outcome of pregnancy. The birth weight is reliable in predicting perinatal outcome. Excessive and low weights of the baby are associated with increased risk of newborn complications during labour, delivery and postpartum. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between estimated foetal weight and maternal renal dimensions and volume in normal pregnant women in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Radiology Departments of the two tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, from July to December, 2021. Sonographic assessments of estimated foetal weight and the maternal renal dimensions and volume in 400 consecutive normal pregnant women in both tertiary institutions were done, after obtaining written informed consent from them. Data were entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for windows� version 25, (SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA). Results were presented in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables.Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were scanned. There was a valid relationship between right renal antero-posterior diameter (?= 0.32; p �010), right renal width (?= 0.32; p �007), right renal volume (?= 0.32; p �007) and estimated foetal weight. The left renal width and renal volume showed the same trend as the right parameters with slight differences in values.Conclusions: This study revealed that estimated foetal weight increased with increase in maternal renal volume and dimensions.