Introduction. Fetal biometrics is a method based on the measurement of certain anatomical parts of the fetus at different stages of pregnancy. Fetal growth is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic, hereditary and environmental factors. A correct assessment of fetal development requires knowledge of fetal anatomy. Measurement of the length of the long bones correlates directly with gestational age and is therefore of paramount importance.
The objective of the study was to determine the morphometric parameters of humerus length during 19-22 weeks of human ontogeny.
Materials and methods. To determine the fetal anatomy of the humerus structures, we used an imaging method such as ultrasound scanning. Fetal humerus length measurements were performed using intravital ultrasound (IVUS) during 19-22 weeks of gestation. We analyzed 44 fetal ultrasounds in women with normal pregnancies.
Results. From 19 to 22 weeks of fetal development, the length of the right humerus increased from 2.92±0.05 mm to 3.46±0.12 mm, while the length of the left humerus increased from 2.95±0.06 mm to 3.48±0.09 mm. Our data on fetal morphometry of humerus lengths indicate a relatively uniform growth of the right and left humeri in human fetuses during 19-22 weeks of gestation. The period of slow increase in length of humerus is 21 and 22 weeks of fetal development.
Conclusions. Ultrasound fetometry of the humerus is one of the basic studies of fetal development. During 19-22 weeks of intrauterine development the right and left humeri grow equally, without significant differences in their length. It has been established that the period of intensive growth of the length of the right and left humeri is from 20 to 21 weeks of gestation.
Keywords: fetal morphometry, ultrasound diagnostics, fetus, humerus.
Full text sources https://doi.org/10.31688/ABMU.2024.59.1.01
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Tatiana V. KHMARA
Human Anatomy Department, Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Address: 3, Sadovsky St. apt. 9, Chernivtsi 58008, Ukraine
E-mail: khmara.tv.6@gmail.com; Phone: +38 099 751 65 50
