Nomogram of the Lungs Area by Tracing Method to Head Circumference Ratio in Normal Thai Fetuses at 20-40 Weeks of Gestation

Authors

  • Kanoknat Boonvisudhi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
  • Prapat Wanitpongpan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
  • Alita Changnoi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

Abstract

Objective: To establish the reference intervals with gestation for the area of the lungs to head circumference ratio (LHR) by tracing method in normal Thai fetuses at 20-40 weeks of gestation.
Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal descriptive study of 60 normal singleton pregnancies at 20-40 weeks of gesta- tion. Right and left lung areas were obtained by manual tracing of the borders of the lungs technique at four-chamber view level. The examination was repeated every 4 weeks. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliabilities were assessed and the results showed very good correlation.

Results: The mean left lung area increased with gestational age from 246 mm2 at 20 weeks to 646 mm2 at 35 weeks and then slightly decreased to 622 mm2 at 40 weeks. The mean right lung area increased from 354 mm2 at 20 weeks to 938 mm2 at 35 weeks and then slightly decreased to 795 mm2 at 40 weeks. Accordingly, the left LHR increased with gestational age from 1.38 at 20 weeks to 2.02 at 34 weeks and slightly decreased to 1.80 at 40 weeks. The right LHR increased from 1.98 at 20 weeks to 2.93 at 34 weeks and slightly decreased to 2.30 at 40 weeks.

Conclusion: The reference intervals with gestation for the lungs’ area to head circumference ratio (LHR) by tracing method in normal Thai fetuses at 20-40 weeks of gestation was established. The left and right LHR increased with gestational age from 20-34 weeks and then slightly decreased after that.

Keywords: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, lungs’ area, lung-to-head ratio, pulmonary hypoplasia, ultrasonography

Siriraj Med J 2014;66:75-78 

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Published

01-05-2014

How to Cite

Boonvisudhi, K., Wanitpongpan, P., & Changnoi, A. (2014). Nomogram of the Lungs Area by Tracing Method to Head Circumference Ratio in Normal Thai Fetuses at 20-40 Weeks of Gestation. Siriraj Medical Journal, 66(3). Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/55276

Issue

Vol. 66 No. 3 (2014): May-June

Section

Original Article

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