Normal Ranges of Fetal Adrenal Gland at 25-37 Weeks of Gestation

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Published: Jul 1, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/tjog.2021.26
Keywords:
fetal adrenal gland adrenal fetal zone normal range 2-D ultrasound

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Noochanart Pattanapanyasat
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Dennopporn Sudjai
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Lunthaporn Puttanavijarn
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To identify the average measurements for the fetal adrenal gland and examine the relationship between the fetal adrenal gland sizes at different gestational ages between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation


Study design: A prospective cohort study conducted at the antenatal care unit of Rajavithi hospital from October 2018 to August 2019. The singleton pregnant woman at the gestational age of 25 to 37 weeks is of interest. Two-dimensional transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the whole fetal adrenal gland and fetal zone was performed in the transverse and sagittal planes to establish the correlation with gestational age. All participants were followed until delivery.


Results: A total of 286 participants had ultrasounds performed. A linear correlation between the whole fetal adrenal gland and the gestational age (GA) for the variables of length = 15.3 + 1.08 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.856, p < 0.001), width = -3.69 + 0.24 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.699, p < 0.001) and depth = -3.05 + 0.29 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.651, p < 0.001) was found. Meanwhile, a correlation between the fetal zone and gestational age in term of length = -14.21 + 0.86 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.801, p < 0.001), width = -1.33 + 0.09 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.497, p < 0.001) and depth = -1.95 + 0.14 × GA(weeks) (R2 = 0.506, p < 0.001) was also found.


Conclusion: The whole fetal adrenal gland and the fetal zone were enlarged correspondingly with GA and was visible and measurable in all planes during the prenatal period between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation when using a two-dimensional ultrasound. The normal values of the fetal adrenal gland may be useful in the prediction and management of complications during pregnancy in the future.

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How to Cite
(1)
Pattanapanyasat, N.; Sudjai, D.; Puttanavijarn, L. Normal Ranges of Fetal Adrenal Gland at 25-37 Weeks of Gestation. Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 2021, 29, 217-226.
Issue
VOL. 29, NO. 4: (July - August 2021)
Section
Original Article

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