Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Nov;49(11):2277-2282.

Ultrasound assessment of fetal colon development during the third trimester of pregnancy: A prospective longitudinal study

• Noh JH
• Suh YH
• Hong JS
• Park KH
• Park JS
• Jun JK
• Yoon BH
• Syn HC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to establish a normal range for the outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation.
METHODS
This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 38 consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton gestations during their first trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound for serial measurements of the fetal transverse colon diameter were performed at intervals of 2 weeks from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and then weekly until delivery. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 201 transverse colon diameters were measured in all 38 fetuses. The normal range for the outer diameter of the transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation was presented as mean, 95% confidence interval of the mean and range. A linear growth function was observed between gestational age (GA) and transverse colon diameter (TCD) (TCD=0.499 x GA - 0.5504, r2=0.65; p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
We have presented a table of normal range and a regression formula for outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation. These data may serve as reference values in the detection of abnormalities of the fetal colon.

Keyword

Fetal transverse colon; Normal range; Prospective longitudinal study

MeSH Terms

Colon*
Colon, Transverse
Female
Fetus
Gestational Age
Humans
Linear Models
Longitudinal Studies*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Third*
Pregnancy*
Prospective Studies*
Reference Values
Ultrasonography*