[Correlation between ultrasonographic measurement of fetal thigh soft-tissue thickness and selected fetal ultrasonographic and maternal anthropometric parameters].

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess a correlation between ultrasonographic measurement of fetal thigh soft-tissue thickness (FTSTT) and selected fetal ultrasonographic and maternal anthropometric parameters.
Material and Methods: A total of 140 women with a singleton term pregnancy were included in the study Anthropometric maternal and fetal measurements were assessed. Fetal weight was estimated with the Hadlock formula using head circumference (HC), abdomen circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), and femoral length (FL). FTSTT was measured using the method of Scioscia M. et al. Then, statistical analysis of the correlation between FTSTT and maternal anthropometric and fetal ultrasonographic parameters was performed.
Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight and BPD, HC, AC, FL and FTSTT, as well as between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight and length, and maternal pre-pregnancy and pre-delivery weight. This correlation was not found between FTSTT and maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy A statistically significant correlation was detected between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight of newborns born between 38 and 40 weeks of gestation but no such correlation was found at 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed in the measurement of FTSTT between physiological pregnancies and those complicated by diabetes. FTSTT measurements in fetuses with macrosomia (real and determined on the basis of ultrasound examination) were not statistically different from those of fetuses without macrosomia.
Conclusions: FTSTT measurement may be helpful in estimating fetal weight, but it is not useful in the diagnosis of fetal macrosomia.