Examining the connections Between Gestational Age and Head Circumference in the Second Trimester

Vijay  Nandini; Arti  Sinha; Rashmi  Prasad; Amit  Gupta

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i9.1292

Authors

Vijay Nandini P.G 2nd year, Department of Anatomy, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India
Arti Sinha P.G 2nd year, Department of Anatomy, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India
Rashmi Prasad Professor & HOD, Department of Anatomy, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India
Amit Gupta Medical Officer, Referral Hospital, Sandesh, Bhojpur, Bihar, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i9.1292

Keywords:

Fetal growth, Gestational age, Second trimester, Head circumference

Abstract

Background: Fetal biometry is employed to ascertain the gestational age and Head Circumference in Second Trimester. Nonetheless, the precision of the gestational age relies on the presumed duration of pregnancy used in the computation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the precise duration of pregnancy and the reliability of estimating the gestational age using measurements of head circumference of fetus taken throughout the second trimester.

Material and methods: This study was conducted using a population-centered observational design.

The inclusion criteria for participants were as follows:

Having a singleton pregnancy,
Having head circumference measurements taken during the second trimester,
Delivering the baby either spontaneously or through induction after at least 294 days of gestation, and giving birth to a live baby. The gestational age was established based on an expected pregnancy duration of 282 days.

Results: The average maternal age was 29.5 years, and the pre-pregnancy BMI was 24.0. Most participants were nulliparous 44% and multiparous 56% and 13% faced pregnancy complications. Labor induction occurred in 5% of cases. The majority of deliveries were spontaneous vaginal (81%), with fewer requiring cesarean sections (6%), vacuum/forceps (11%), or vaginal breech deliveries (2%). Fetal head circumference (HC) measurements revealed that no participants had HC in the ranges of 98-123 mm or 184-195 mm. The most common HC measurement was 148-159 mm, with 51 participants. Measurements of 136-147 mm and 160-171 mm were seen in 20 and 21 participants, respectively.

Conclusion: The present research indicated that Head Circumference is statistically highly significant. The regression equations were formulated to estimate gestational age in a usually developing fetus. It demonstrate a positive correlation with gestational age and exhibits a strong association with gestational age. The current study found that head circumference is a sensitive indicator, the results were consistent with prior studies.