Estimation of gestational age by ultrasound measurement of fetal transcerebellar diameter

Ultrasound measurements of fetal head length (occipito-snout diameter) and width (biparietal diameter) were made at 2-week intervals from about day 45 of pregnancy onwards in 3-6 year old Merino ewes bearing a single fetus, and at 1 week intervals from about day 36 to 86 of pregnancy in 4-5 year old Merino ewes bearing twin fetuses. The single-bearing ewes maintained liveweight (47 kg) during the study. The twin-bearing ewes (47 kg on day 30) were fed either to maintain weight or at 0.3 of this rate until about day 96 of pregnancy. A sample of ewes from both studies were slaughtered on days 92-94 of pregnancy, and comparable measurements taken. There were no significant effects of sex of the fetus, or undernutrition of the twin-bearing ewes on the head dimensions, except for effects (P<0.05) of feeding treatment on head length of the twins at about day 51, day 86 and day 92. The magnitude of these differences was small ( < 2 mm), equivalent to about 2 days' growth. Fetal head measurements were similar for single and twin fetuses up to about 80 days gestation. It was concluded that the most accurate prediction of gestational age was provided by head length of the fetus, with 95% confidence limits ranging from �2 days at about day 40 of pregnancy to �4 days at day 80 of pregnancy. A single linear prediction equation would be the most appropriate to use under field conditions. Verification of these relationships is recommended to check for differences that may exist between equipment, operators and breeds of sheep.

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Placental thickness and its correlation to gestational age in Nepalese woman: a hospital based study

Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences ◽

10.3126/jpahs.v4i2.24587 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 53-57

Author(s):

Ranjan Peasad Devbhandari ◽

Rajendra Raut ◽

Jessica Shrestha ◽

Kedar Prasad Baral

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Well Being ◽

Menstrual Period ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Placental Thickness

Introductions: Gestational age is estimated on the basis of last normal menstrual period and the measurement of foetal growth parameters by ultrasonography. The lack of accurate recollection of the last menstrual period and dependence of growth parameters on intra-uterine environment, physical and mental well-being of the mother, maternal nutrition and genetic factors leads to the over or under estimation of gestational age. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between placental thicknesses (PT) in normal singleton Nepalese foetuses. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of ultrasound measurement of placental thickness during 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancy from April 2015 to October 2015 at Department of Radiology, Suraksha Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. All viable singleton uncomplicated pregnancies, history of regular menstruation with known LNMP were included. Microsoft Excel and SPSS 17 were used for data analysis. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used for correlation between placental thickness and gestational age. Statistical tests were two-tailed with p<0.01 as statistical significance. Results: There were 592 pregnant women who met the criteria. Placental thickness increased by 0.86 mm in every week of increase in gestational age. The maximum mean PT of 40.42±1.05 mm was observed at 39th week. There was a significant positive correlation between placental thickness and gestational age, correlation coefficient r=0.986 (P<0.001). Conclusions: PT was found to be a reliable alternative predictor in calculating gestational age. Measurement of PT should be done routinely during obstetrics ultrasonography.

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Prevalence of Speech Problems and the Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Registry-Based Study in Norway

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac19.1.12 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 12-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Guro Andersen ◽

Tone R. Mjøen ◽

Torstein Vik

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Communicative Abilities ◽

Normal Speech

Abstract This study describes the prevalence of speech problems and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Norway. Information on the communicative abilities of 564 children with CP born 1996–2003, recorded in the Norwegian CP Registry, was collected. A total of 270 children (48%) had normal speech, 90 (16%) had slightly indistinct speech, 52 (9%) had indistinct speech, 35 (6%) had very indistinct speech, 110 children (19%) had no speech, and 7 (1%) were unknown. Speech problems were most common in children with dyskinetic CP (92 %), in children with the most severe gross motor function impairments and among children being totally dependent on assistance in feeding or tube-fed children. A higher proportion of children born at term had speech problems when compared with children born before 32 weeks of gestational age 32 (p > 0.001). Among the 197 children with speech problems only, 106 (54%) used AAC in some form. Approximately 20% of children had no verbal speech, whereas ~15% had significant speech problems. Among children with either significant speech problems or no speech, only 54% used AAC in any form.

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