Ultrasound assessment of fetal colon development during the third trimester of pregnancy: A prospective longitudinal study / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish a normal range for the outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 38 consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton gestations during their first trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound for serial measurements of the fetal transverse colon diameter were performed at intervals of 2 weeks from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and then weekly until delivery. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 201 transverse colon diameters were measured in all 38 fetuses. The normal range for the outer diameter of the transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation was presented as mean, 95% confidence interval of the mean and range. A linear growth function was observed between gestational age (GA) and transverse colon diameter (TCD) (TCD=0.499 x GA - 0.5504, r2=0.65; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We have presented a table of normal range and a regression formula for outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation. These data may serve as reference values in the detection of abnormalities of the fetal colon.