Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to use two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) during
routine prenatal surveillance to develop normative estimated placental volume (EPV)
growth curves.
Study Design Patients ≥ 18 years old with singleton pregnancies were prospectively followed from
11 weeks gestational age (GA) until delivery. At routine US visits, placental width,
height, and thickness were measured and EPV calculated using a validated mathematical
model.
Results In this study, 423 patients were scanned between 9.7 and 39.3 weeks GA to generate
a total of 627 EPV calculations. Readings were clustered at 12 and 20 weeks, times
of routine scanning. The mean EPV was 73 ± 47 cc at 12.5 ± 1.5 weeks (n = 444) and 276 ± 106 cc at 20 ± 2 weeks (n = 151). The data best fit a parabolic function as follows: EPV = (0.384GA – 0.00366GA2)3. Tenth and 90th percentile lines were generated with ± 1.28 SE offset. EPV readings
below the 10th or above the 90th percentiles tended to be associated with either small
or large newborns, respectively.
Conclusion Routine 2D US created EPV growth curves, which may be useful for stratifying patients
into prenatal risk groups.
Keywords
placenta - EPV - prenatal care
