Fetal abdominal circumference
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Alexandra Stanislavsky had no recorded disclosures.
View Alexandra Stanislavsky's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Patrick O'Shea had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Patrick O'Shea's current disclosures- Abdominal circumference
Abdominal circumference (AC) is one of the basic biometric parameters used to assess fetal size. AC together with biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length are computed to produce an estimate of fetal weight. In the second trimester, this may be extrapolated to an estimate of gestational age and an estimated date of delivery (EDD).
Sonographic technique
Transverse section through the upper abdomen, which should demonstrate the following fetal landmarks:
fetal stomach
Abdominal circumference measurement should not be taken on a foreshortened abdomen and the calipers should be on the skin surface (skin surface should be visible).
The kidneys and cord insertion should not be visible. The umbilical vein should not be seen up to the skin line, considering a true transverse view (portal sinus, fetal stomach, symmetrical fetal ribs, and the level of the junction of umbilical vein) without maternal abdominal compression.
The gallbladder may sometimes be seen.
Related pathology
References
- 1. Bethune, M., Alibrahim, E., Davies, B., & Yong, E. A pictorial guide for the second trimester ultrasound. AJUM August 2013; 16 (3):98-113. Free article.
- 2. AIUM practice guideline for the performance of obstetric ultrasound examinations. J Ultrasound Med. 2013;32 (6): 1083-101. doi:10.7863/ultra.32.6.1083 - Pubmed citation
Incoming Links
- Symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction
- Fetal head sparing theory
- Redating pregnancy (ultrasound)
- Biparietal diameter
- Second trimester ultrasound scan
- Femur length (obstetric ultrasound)
- Fetal biometric parameters
- Asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (A)
- Increased fetal abdominal circumference
- Head circumference
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