Sonographic measurement of the atrium of fetal lateral ventricle in low risk population of pregnant women at 16-38 weeks of gestation.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the size of atrium of fetal lateral ventricle and to evaluate its changes in normal fetuses in low risk population of pregnant women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study involving 290 women with uncomplicated singleton gestation between 16-38 weeks. Atrium was visualized in 264 cases. The fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) was measured first. Atrium was measured at the level of the glomus of the choroid plexus, perpendicular to the ventricular cavity, positioning the calipers inside the echoes generated by the lateral walls. Nomogram of the sizes of atrium was prepared.

Results: Atrium was visualized in 91% of the fetuses. The ages of the patients ranged from 17-30 years (mean 24.29, SD 2.78). The maximum numbers of case were at 23 and 27 weeks of gestation and the minimum number of cases were at 37 weeks of gestation. The mean size of the atrium of lateral ventricle was 6.28mm, (SD1.2; range 3.5-8.9 mm). The size of atrium showed significant positive correlation with gestational age (r2 value of 0.78; p<0.001 for atrium)

Conclusion: Atrium of lateral ventricle showed continuous increment and showed significant correlation with the gestational age. The findings were consistent with the previous studies done by various authors. The percentile fitted values and nomograms will be valuable for the serial measurement of the atrium of lateral ventricle for complicated pregnancies.