Relationship of Fetal Liver Volume with Estimated Fetal Weight and Gestational Age: A 2-Dimensional Ultrasonographic Study of Normal Nigerian Fetuses

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal liver volume (FLV) and, estimated fetal weight (EFW) and gestational age (GA). Patients and Methods: Liver volumes were prospectively measured by a single sonographer in 1847 apparently normal singleton fetuses between 20weeks and 41weeks gestational age using two-dimensional ultrasonography. The pregnant women who were evaluated were those who underwent obstetric ultrasound scan between January 2011 and September 2012. The means ± standard deviations of FLV and EFW were obtained for each completed weeks of gestation. The relationships between FLV and, EFW and estimated GA were expressed graphically with EFW and estimated GA plotted on the vertical axis and FLV on the horizontal axis. Trend lines and regression equations expressing the relationship between EFW and FLV, and estimated GA and FLV were inserted in the graphs. Results: The mean FLV was 9.27 ± 0.81cm 3 at 20 weeks and 110.71 ± 3.95cm 3 at 41 weeks. The mean EFW was 188 ± 5g at 20 weeks and 4650 ± 988g at 41 weeks GA. There was a steady linear increase in values of FLV with increasing EFW and GA. Strong positive correlations were found between FLV and EFW, GA and other biometric parameters (p < 0.05). The derived linear relationships could be used to estimated fetal weight and GA from FLV starting from 20 weeks GA. Conclusion: This study has established linear relationships between estimated fetal weight and gestational age, and fetal liver volume. These findings demonstrate that fetal weight and gestational age can be estimated from 20 weeks using the regression equations obtained in this study. While ultrasound measurement of fetal abdominal parameters can be used to estimated fetal weight and identify growth-restricted fetus, we are of the opinion that fetal liver volume by two-dimensional ultrasonography can also be used for the same purpose.