F95Cerebral tissue and vessels growth, during normal pregnancies

The objective was to study the kinetic of development of the main cerebral structures and vessels from 20 to 39 weeks. Method 30 normal pregnancies were included into the study. The conventionnal parameters used for fetal growth assessment were measured: biparietal and, abdomen diameters, skull and abdomen transverse cross section area, femur length. In addition the transverse cross section of the main intracranial structures were measured: Thalami, cerebral ventricles, cerebral peduncles, cerebellum. The diameter of the middle cerebral artery and the flow velocity were also measured at the same rate. These parameters were measured every 3 weeks from 20 to 40 weeks. The fetal weight was evaluated from a simple index checked at delivery against the fetal actual fetal. All these parameters were displayed against time in order to study and compare the kinetic of their progression during normal pregnancies.