Ultrasonographic correlation of placental thickness with some foetal biometry in seemingly normal singleton pregnancies in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

An accurate assessment of the gestational age (G.A) and evaluation of foetal growth is essential to antenatal care. GA prediction based on the sonographic foetal parameters may be the cornerstone in modern obstetrics and continues to remain an important component of the management of pregnancies. Placental thickness appears to be a promising parameter for the estimation of GA, for it tends to have a positive correlation with it. Ultrasonography helps in the assessment of the placenta and the detection of placental abnormalities using different parameters like placental thickness and volume. This study was conducted to sonographically measure the placental thickness and correlate it with some foetal biometry in apparently normal singleton pregnancies. A prospective cross-sectional design was employed for the study from March to July 2021 in Jalingo, Taraba State. A convenient sampling method was employed and included a total of 314 healthy pregnant women referred for obstetrics ultrasound scans in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Ultrasound scans were performed using an ultrasound system equipped with a 3.5 MHz curvilinear transducer. Findings from this study revealed an increasing trend in the values of the mean placental thickness with an increase in G.A, and the placental thickness in mm coincide almost exactly with the GA weeks, indicating there was a positive correlation between placental thickness and G.A from 14-35 weeks of gestation. However, placental thickness gradually declined from 36-40 weeks G. A, thereby, lagging behind the G.A marginally by 1-2 mm. Placental thickness cord insertion site can be used as an accurate sonographic parameter to determine the GA, especially from 14-35 weeks of gestation in apparently normal singleton pregnant women due to its statistically strong positive correlation with G.A.