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Measurements of the normal fetal brain at gestation weeks 17 to 23: a MRI study

  • Paediatric Neuroradiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

To obtain measurements of the normal fetal brain before 24 weeks of gestation (GW), a deadline for medical decisions on fetal viability in a large number of countries.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 70 normal MR examinations of fetuses aged GW 17 to 23. The fronto-occipital diameter, the cerebral bi-parietal diameter, the transverse cerebellar diameter, the vermian height, and antero-posterior diameter were measured.

Results

The median, maximum, and minimum values for each parameter were displayed for each individual GW.

Conclusion

The recorded data might contribute to a better assessment of fetal health by providing normal boundaries for the brain growth.

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Conflicts of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroradiology Section C. Campos Costa, Rua Aviz, nº 39. CP 4050 - 075, Porto, Portugal

    Nuno Canto Moreira

  2. Department of Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Nuno Canto Moreira, Raquel Themudo, Raili Raininko & Johan Wikstrom

  3. Department of Neuroradiology, H. G. S. Antonio, Porto, Portugal

    João Teixeira

  4. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Hashem Amini & Ove Axelsson

Authors
  1. Nuno Canto Moreira
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  2. João Teixeira
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  3. Raquel Themudo
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  4. Hashem Amini
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  5. Ove Axelsson
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  6. Raili Raininko
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  7. Johan Wikstrom
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nuno Canto Moreira.

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Canto Moreira, N., Teixeira, J., Themudo, R. et al. Measurements of the normal fetal brain at gestation weeks 17 to 23: a MRI study. Neuroradiology 53, 43–48 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-010-0772-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-010-0772-8

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