Assessment of Placental Thickness during the Second and Third Trimesters and Its Correlation with Fetal Weight | ||
| Al-Azhar International Medical Journal | ||
| Volume 2025, Issue 7, July 2025, Pages 244-248 PDF (337.06 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/aimj.2025.446667 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Karim El-Etriby* ; Menna Allah Mahmoud; Hossam Abdo | ||
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: The placenta functions as a vital organ that supports both the fetus and the mother, providing essential nourishment and protection throughout pregnancy. Given that birth weight has been shown to be the main factor influencing newborn survival outcomes, estimating the fetal weight is necessary. Objectives: To evaluate placental thickness in the second and third trimesters and its relationship to fetal weight. Patients and methods: This prospective study involved 115 patients, who were between 18-40 weeks of gestational age, had a history of regular menstrual cycles, knew their last menstrual period, and were carrying a single fetus. Ultrasound measurements of placental thickness are commonly performed on pregnant women throughout the second trimester spans from 18 to 20 weeks, while the third trimester extends from 30 to 34 weeks. Results: The findings indicated a notable increase in gestational age, placental thickness, and fetal weight during the third trimester compared to the second trimester (P<0.001). The mean value of placental weights was 450.2 ± 90.41 grams. Regarding APGAR scores, at one minute, the mean value of scores was 5.52±2.27. While at five minutes was 7.57±1.75. In the second trimester, no significant correlations were found. Nevertheless, an obvious inverse correlation between placental thickness and placental weight emerged during the third trimester (r = -0.236, p = 0.011). Other correlations in both trimesters were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The only significant relationship identified was an inverse association between 3rd-trimester placental thickness and placental delivery weight. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Placental Thickness; 2nd Trimester; 3rd Trimester; Fetal Weight | ||
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