Correlation of Foetal Liver Length with Gestational Age and Foetal Weight in Pregnant Nigerian Women.

Background: This study aims to determine the relationship(s) of fetal liver length (FLL) to the gestational age, biometric parameters (BPD, FL, AC, HC), and fetal weight in third trimester pregnancies.
Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 400 fetuses in normal third trimester pregnancies recruited from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The participants were between 20-45 years of age and their gestational ages ranged from 27-40weeks. The FLL, liver thickness and transverse diameter were measured on B-mode ultrasound. Fetal liver volume (FLV) was calculated using the ellipsoid formula. The expected gestational age (EGA) was determined from the date of the last menstrual period (LMP), early first-trimester crown-rump length (CRL), or early second-trimester biparietal diameter (BPD) ultrasound. The estimated gestational age (EGA) and EFW were calculated using computer-assisted analysis of ultrasound fetal biometrics.
Results: The mean height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 1.62±0.08m, 72.07±13.26kg and 27±4.70kg/m2 respectively. FLL had a linear relationship and a positive correlation with EGA and EFW. There was also a positive correlation between FLL and fetal biometrics, maternal weight, and BMI. Percentile distribution of FLL and FLV for the GA 27-40weeks was developed.
Conclusion: FLL could be used to predict GA in normal pregnancies especially when LMP is uncertain.
(Copyright © 2021 Nigerian Medical Association.)