An Observational Study on Ultrasonographic Measurement of Placental Thickness in Term Pregnancy and its Association with Estimated Foetal Weight and Actual Birth Weight

Abstract Introduction: The placenta exhibits important metabolic, endocrine and immunological functions. The measurement of placental thickness is relatively simple, clinically useful and considered as the easiest placental dimension to measure. Evaluation of placental thickness in third trimester could help to determine normal development, function of placenta and can be a good predictor of foetal growth and birth weight. The present study was designed to measure the placental thickness in third trimester of pregnancy on trans-abdominal ultrasound and to find the correlation between placental thickness and foetal weight (as estimated with trans-abdominal ultrasound) and actual birth weight (measured after birth with a paediatric weight scale). Methods: 100 pregnant women with singleton, live uncomplicated pregnancy with gestational age between 37 to 40 weeks, who were sure of their dates and who consented to participate were included in the study. Placental thickness was measured in mm trans-abdominally by placing ultrasound transducer perpendicular to the plane of placenta in the area of cord insertion near mid-placental portion at third trimester. All women were monitored till delivery. All data were entered into MS excel sheet and analysed. Results: Pearson correlation indicated that there is a significant large positive relationship between Placental Thickness and Estimated Birth weight, (r) = .688, p < .001). There is a significant large positive relationship between Placental Thickness and Actual Birth weight, (r) = .647, p < .001). Conclusion: Determination of placental thickness by USG can be a screening tool as deviation from normal value can give a clue to underlying foetal or maternal pathology.