An analytical cross-sectional study: determining gestational age using fetal clavicle length during the second trimester

• Published in: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 309; no. 6; pp. 2663 - 2668
• Main Authors: Avcı, Fazıl, Serin, Salih, Bakacak, Murat, Ercan, Onder, Kostu, Bulent, Arıkan, Deniz Cemgil, Kulhan, Mehmet, Bilgi, Ahmet, Celik, Cetin, Duymus, Ayse Ceren, Kulhan, Nur Gozde
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Cerebellum - diagnostic imaging; Cerebellum - embryology; Clavicle - diagnostic imaging; Clavicle - embryology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endocrinology; Female; Fetal Weight; Fetus - anatomy & histology; Fetus - diagnostic imaging; Gestational Age; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Humans; Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Clavicle length; Fetal biometry; Gestational week
• ISSN: 1432-0711; 0932-0067; 1432-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07196-1

Purpose To investigate the correlation between fetal clavicle length and gestational age in pregnant patients from 14 and 27 weeks of gestation. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients from 14 and 27 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonographic measurements such as abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), humerus length (HL), clavicle length (CL), head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), estimated fetal weight (EFW), and transverse cerebellum diameter (TCD) were made and compared. Results A total of 552 patients were evaluated in our clinic and CL was measured properly and successfully in all fetuses. Fetal AC, FL, HL, CL, BPD, HC, EFW and TCD measurements were significantly and strongly correlated with gestational week, and Pearson’s correlation values were 0.964, 0.965, 0.959, 0.965, 0.951, 0.917, 0.925, and 0.954, respectively ( p  < 0.001). In the regression analysis equation, gestational week = 0.894 + CL × 0.961. Conclusion There was a significant positive correlation between fetal CL (mm) and gestational week. We suggest that the 1 mm = 1 week rule can be used for patients with anomalies of the cerebellum and vermis, as well as for patients with unknown last menstrual period.