Assessment of use of ultrasonographic placental thickness in prediction of fetal outcome

Abstract

Background: Any disease process affecting the mother will have impact on both the fetus and the placenta. The present study was conducted to assess use of ultrasonographic placental thickness in prediction of fetal outcome.Materials & Methods: 48 with singleton pregnancy between 18 and 40 years of age, with normal BMI were included. Obstetric ultrasound was performed on using a 3.5-MHz curvilinear transducer. Post-delivery birth weight of the baby, placental weight, Apgar score, maturity of baby and sex of the baby were noted. Birth weight of the baby was recorded. Placental thickness at 32 and 36 weeks was correlated with birth weight and neonatal outcome. Results: The mean placental thickness at 32 weeks was 33.2 mm and at 36 weeks was 35.8 mm. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). There was correlation between between placental thickness and Apgar score at 32 weeks and at 36 weeks (p value = 0.05), which is statistically significant. However, no correlation was found between placental thickness and BMI of the patient (r = 0.007 at 32 weeks and r = −0.006 at 36 weeks).Conclusion: Placental thickness at 32 and 36 weeks corresponds well with gestational age and is a good prognostic factor in assessing neonatal outcome.