Ultrasonographic Prediction of Gestational Age in Pregnancy Using Foetal Transcerebellar Diameter

Abstract

Background: Estimation of gestational age is very crucial for providing antenatal care and it is a prerequisite to plan various interventions during pregnancies. Transcerebellar diameter can predict gestational age reliably as it grows progressively with gestation and is not affected by foetal lie, skull shape and foetal growth disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional type of descriptive study was conducted for 1 year from January 2023 to December 2023 in the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi on 120 3^rd trimester women aged 18-40 years with singleton pregnancy. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and sonographic examination was done using a sonoscape machine fitted 3.5 to 5.0 MHZ transabdominal transducer. Results: Out of 120 women, 80 (66.70%) were within the range of 21-30 years, 59 (49.20%) lived in semi-urban area, 46 (38.30%) had higher secondary level of education, 82 (68.30%) were housewives. Parity and gestational age revealed that 85 (70.83%) of the women were multiparous and the mean gestational age was 34.55±2.88 weeks based on LMP and 34.65±2.93 weeks based on TCD. Gestational age determined by TCD was positively highly correlated with gestational age determined by LMP (r=0.97, p < 0.001). Conclusion: TCD could serve as a reliable parameter for evaluation of GA in women whose LMP was unknown in late pregnancy without having a dating scan, because of strong and significant correlation of GA by TCD.