Longitudinal studies of femur growth in normal fetuses.

As an indicator of fetal limb growth, change in the femur diaphysis length (FDL) between 15 and 38 weeks, menstrual age, has been evaluated in a longitudinal study of 20 normal fetuses, as determined by prenatal biparietal diameter, head circumference, and abdominal circumference growth patterns as well as postnatal pediatric assessment. Individual FDL growth curves were uniformly parabolic and followed very similar trajectories. The projected start points [mean: 9.7 (+/- 1.5 SD) weeks] for these curves were in complete agreement with embryologic data, and the curves themselves were well characterized by the Rossavik model [R2 99.5 (+/- 0.5 SD)%]. No differences between males and females were detected, and good agreement was obtained between the average longitudinal growth curve and the cross-sectional growth curve derived from a previously studied data set. Individual growth curve standards, determined from Rossavik models based on data obtained before 26.1 weeks, menstrual age, were within 7% of actual measurements in 94% of the 97 time points studied after 26 weeks. These results indicate that the Rossavik model and its associated individual growth curve standards can be used to evaluate the growth of the femur and thus provide an improved means for detecting skeletal dysplasias and fetal growth retardation.