Sonographic Evaluation of Maternal Splenic Dimensions in Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to establish sonographically the range of splenic dimensions in healthy pregnancy and to investigate their relationships with gestational age, maternal age body mass index (BMI), and parity of the mother.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive study of splenic dimensions was performed on 339 healthy, normal pregnant women aged 23–42 years. The spleen was measured with women in supine position on the couch. Scanning of the spleen was done with the women in deep inspiration so that the spleen descends. A Sonoline Omnia ultrasound imaging system with serial number 526,206,526 and model number Cc‐13 H71 fitted with a 3.5 MHz ultrasound probe was used in scanning the spleen along the lower left costal margin from the 9^th to the 11^th rib at the anterior, mid, and posterior axillary lines with the woman in the right lateral decubitus position using the oblique intercostal approach. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The relationship between splenic dimensions and gestational age, maternal age, and BMI was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The result of the study shows that the mean length, width, thickness, and volume of the spleen of the mothers were 11.9 ± 0.7 cm, 5.7 ± 0.7, 9.5 ± 0.8 cm, and 381.6 ± 111.4 cm³, respectively. Gestational age was significantly correlated positively with splenic length and splenic volume of the mother (r = 0.37 and 0.31, P = 0.000).

Conclusion: Splenic dimensions are higher in pregnant women compared to values reported for nonpregnant women and increases with gestational age and BMI of the mother.