OP39.11: the Significance of Prenatal Detection of Fetal Growth Restriction by the Assessment of Fetal Limb‐volume Using XI VOCAL™ Three‐dimensional Ultrasound Volumetry

Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (FGR) of several fetal organs can early indicate the severity of intrauterine malnutrition. By sonographic (US) assessment of these fetal organ-volumes three-dimensional (3D) US volumetry may earlier and more accurately predict the severity of the FGR as compared with the use of conventional two-dimensional (2D) US fetal biometry. The authors reported on a prospective, observational study in singleton pregnancies between 30 and 36 gestational weeks at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Pécs, Hungary. In total, 15 fetuses with FGR and 15 fetuses without FGR, as a control group, were included for volume-assessment of the fetal upper arm and thigh by XI VOCAL™ (eXtended Imaging Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis™) 3D-US volumetry and fetal biometry by 2D-US. All fetuses were followed until delivery to determine or rule out FGR. Our results revealed that fetal limb-volume assessment by 3D-US volumetry can differentiate fetuses with FGR from fetuses without it. The assessment of the fetal upper arm and thigh volumes by 3D-US volumetry showed significantly stronger difference between fetuses with FGR and without that, compared to the 2D-US fetal biometry. Previous publications proved that 3D-US volumetry of fetal humerus and femur correlated well with the FGR. The assessment of the fetal limbs using XI VOCAL™ 3D-US volumetry were more sensitive for FGR, because the subcutaneous adipose tissue volume correlated more accurately with the malnutrition of the fetus. By the 3D-US assessment of fetal limb-volumes we may suggest, that these 3D measurements can be a useful adjunct in detecting fetuses at risk for FGR and help the obstetrician to decide the optimal time of intervention and delivery for fetal interest.