Sonographic evaluation of fetal femur lengh in gestational age estimation in Duhok-Iraq

Abstract EN

Background Femur length is considered one of the most accurate biometric measurements in determining gestational age, most commonly using Hadlock charts based on white middle class population.

Aim Is to verify that Hadlock charts are not always applicable, especially for femur length.

Patients and Methods 251 pregnant women were studied prospectively in Duhok-Iraq during December 2007-April 2008 to determine gestational ages based on femur length, biparietal diameter, head circumference, and lastly on both biparietal diameter and head circumference combined.

Results On average the means of biparietal-based, head circumference-based, and a combined biparietal diameter and head circumference-based gestational ages as compared to femur length-based gestational ages were higher by 1.45, 0.69 and 1.07 weeks, respectively, which is considered statistically and clinically significant.

Conclusion and recommendation A significant difference in gestational ages based on femur length compared to gestational ages derived from biparietal diameter, and head circumference does exist in the territory of Duhok depending on Hadlock charts.

Yet further studies are recommended to support the above mentioned finding.