Placental Thickness Measurement by Ultrasonography and Its Correlation with Gestational Age of Fetus in the Manipuri Population.

PURPOSE

The study was done to measure the placental thickness (PT) in pregnant women and find its correlation with the gestational age (GA) of the fetus by ultrasonography. Comparisons were also made with the other fetal biometry parameters, and baseline data were generated with respect to the gestational weeks and placental position.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional one with a sample size of 134 singleton pregnancies. About 11-40 weeks of gestation were studied for the measurement of PT and other fetal parameters. Informed consent was obtained before recording the data on the preformed questionnaire. All measurements were done in mm and during the relaxed phase of the uterus.

RESULTS

As per the study, PT (in mm) increases with an increase in GA (in weeks) and almost matches it from 12 to 34 weeks of gestation. PT had a strong correlation with GA ( = 0.966). The correlation was statistically significant, with a < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the estimation of the thickness of the placenta at the cord insertion site by means of ultrasonography is a relatively simple, safe, and cheap modality for accurate estimation of GA, fetal growth, and placental abnormalities and thus can significantly affect the management and outcome of pregnancy.