A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY EXAMINING A LINK BETWEEN PLANCENTAL THICKNESS AND GASTATIONAL AGE IN PREGNANT WOMEN OF BALUCHISTAN
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Abstract
Assessment of fetal well-being is dependent on GA, and determination of the estimated gestational age (GA) is crucial. The inclusion of placental thickness and fetal biometrics in prediction of GA may enhance the accuracy of fetal age assessment. The objective was to investigate the correlation of placental thickness with GA in pregnant mothers going to prenatal/emergency department at Mekran Hospital Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Methods: This correlation were examined among pregnant mothers referring to prenatal care in Baluchistan hospitals in a 6‐month period since the study was a cross sectional research. Written informed consent was obtained, and information on date of first day of last safe menstruation, mean body mass index (BMI), and medical or surgical history was collected. Placental thickness was assessed by ultrasound and miscellaneous clinical information was noted. Analysis: the data was analyzed by finch and correlation analysis in SPSS version 21.
Results: We found a strong association of GA with placental thickness (p < 0.0001, r = 0.729). The PT increased as a function of the GA. There was a similar association between placental thickness and the site of attachment (p = 0.009, r = 0.14). In the posterior position, placental thickness was greater by 14% or 0.14. The placental thickness at the posterior site (29.49 ± 0.75) was greater than that in the anterior one (26.94 ± 10.72).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that placental thickness increases significantly with increasing GA in the first and second trimesters. Furthermore, placental thickness was significantly higher in cases of posterior placental location as well as in association with high BMI. Placental thickness should therefore be measured routinely during obstetric ultrasound.
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Habib ur Rehman
Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Mekran Medical College, Turbat.
Amber
Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Mekran Medical College, Turbat.
Nusrat Ullah Khan
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Mekran Medical College, Turbat.
Abdul Samad Gichki
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Bolan Medical College, Quetta.
Shabeer Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Mekran Medical College, Turbat.
Muhammad Wasif Saleem
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Mekran Medical College, Turbat.