Abstract
The fetal adrenal gland plays a pivotal role in perinatal survival. Because imaging
the fetal adrenal gland is not part of routine antenatal ultrasonography (US), there
is a paucity of available data about imaging techniques. The purpose of this study
was to construct gestational age-wise data for fetal adrenal gland size and volume
(2D US measurements) for 20, 21, 22 and 32 weeks of gestation and define a technique
to measure the gland ultrasonographically. One year prospective study, at a single
centre. 87 consecutive pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were
included. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, maternal complications, congenital
anomalies or fetal growth abnormality and a previous child suffering with Congenital
Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). All measurements were made in 2 dimensional ultrasonography.
In coronal sections of the fetal abdomen, fetal adrenal glands were identified just
above the upper pole of the kidney to measure length and breadth. With the fetal spine
in an anterior position, fetal adrenals were identified on either side of the spine
and the width was measured. The gestational age included was 20, 21, 22 and 32 weeks.
Both fetal adrenal glands could be visualised and identified in all cases (100%).
Length, breadth, width and volume of both the glands for the above gestational ages
with 95% confidence limit have been calculated. Antenatal imaging of the fetal adrenal
gland can be done by 2D US if indicated.
Keywords
Fetal adrenal gland - Prenatal diagnosis of CAH - Size and volume charts
