In Utero Ultrasonography Parameters Predict the Growth of Children at Age 2-3 Years

Abstract

Objective : To explore the relationship between ultrasound parameters during pregnancy and the growth of children aged 2 – 3 years.

Methods : This study was an analytic observational study with a longitudinal approach using data from the first 1,000 days of life study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University. The research subjects were children aged 2 – 3 years with good nutrition and democratic parenting from 14 City Health Centers in Semarang. The ultrasound parameters obtained were Biparietal Diameter (BPD), Abdomen Circumference (AC), Head Circumference (HC), Femur Length (FL) at 20 – 24 weeks of gestation. Data were obtained during the second trimester. Data on the growth of children at the age of 2 years obtained are height, weight, and HC. Statistical test using Pearson correlation test, with p<0.1 is considered significant.

Results: The level of confidence used in this study was 90% and obtained 45 research subjects with a female gender of 26 children (57.8%) and 19 male children (42.2%). The Pearson test showed that there was no significant relationship between BPD and height (p=0,18; r=-0,20), AC and height (p=0,12; r=-0,23), and FL and height (p=0,17; r=-0,20). There was a significant relationship between HC and height (p=0,04; r=-0,29), BPD and weight (p=0,06; r=-0,28), HC and weight (p=0,01; r=-0,35), AC and weight (p=0,08; r=-0,26), FL and weight (p=0,05; r=-0,29) and prenatal HC and postnatal HC (p=0,03; r=-0,32).

Conclusion : There is a significant relationship between ultrasound parameters during pregnancy and the growth of children aged 2 – 3 years.

Keywords: abdominal circumference, biparietal diameter, child growth, femur length, head circumference, pregnancy.