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Reference ranges for ultrasound measurements of fetal kidneys in a cohort of low-risk pregnant women

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Abstract

Purpose

Alterations in renal dimensions may be an early manifestation of deviation from normality, with possible repercussions beyond intrauterine life. The objective of this study was to establish reference curves for fetal kidney dimensions and volume from 14 to 40 weeks of gestation.

Methods

This is a prospective longitudinal study of 115 Brazilian participants in the “WHO multicentre study for the development of growth standards from fetal life to childhood: the fetal component”. Pregnant women with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics allowing the full potential fetal growth were followed up from the first trimester until delivery. These women underwent serial sonographic evaluation of fetal kidneys. The longitudinal, anteroposterior and transverse diameters of both fetal kidneys were measured, in addition to calculation of kidney volume. By quantile regression analysis, reference curves of renal measurements related to gestational age were built.

Results

Standard normal sonographic values of renal biometry were defined during pregnancy. Reference values for the 10th, 50th and 90th centiles of different fetal kidney measurements (longitudinal, anteroposterior, transverse and volume) from the 14th to the 40th week of gestation were fitted.

Conclusion

The reference curves presented should be of the utmost importance for screening and diagnosis of alterations in renal development during the intrauterine period.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially sponsored by the World Health Organization through the Grant WHO A65097.

Funding

The study was partially sponsored by WHO, Grant A65097.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Campinas, Alexander Fleming Street 101, Campinas, SP, 13083-891, Brazil

    Ricardo M. Barbosa, Renato T. Souza, Carla Silveira, Kleber C. Andrade, Cristiane M. Almeida, Ana G. Bortoleto & Jose G. Cecatti

  2. Statistics Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

    Paulo F. Oliveira

Authors
  1. Ricardo M. Barbosa
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  2. Renato T. Souza
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  3. Carla Silveira
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  4. Kleber C. Andrade
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  5. Cristiane M. Almeida
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  6. Ana G. Bortoleto
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  7. Paulo F. Oliveira
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  8. Jose G. Cecatti
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Contributions

RMB protocol/project development, data collection or management, data analysis, Manuscript writing/editing; RTS data analysis, Manuscript writing/editing; CS data collection or management, manuscript writing/editing; KCA protocol/project development, data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing; CMA data collection or management; AGB data collection or management; PFO data analysis, manuscript writing/editing; JGC Protocol/project development, data analysis, manuscript writing/editing

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jose G. Cecatti.

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The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest at all.

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Barbosa, R.M., Souza, R.T., Silveira, C. et al. Reference ranges for ultrasound measurements of fetal kidneys in a cohort of low-risk pregnant women. Arch Gynecol Obstet 299, 585–591 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-018-5032-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-018-5032-x

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