[Relative growth of the pancreas in the human fetus].

Abstract

The relative growth of the pancreas was studied in 30 human fresh fetuses of known age (ranging from 2nd to 3rd trimesters) by using of the allometric method (Y = a X b). The weight of the pancreas (in grams) was correlated to the fetal parameters of maturity: age (in weeks), crown-rump length (in millimeters) and fetus weight (in grams). The growth of the weight of the pancreas presented positive allometry relative to gestational age and C-R length (b = 4.16 and 3.90 respectively), and light positive allometry relative to the weight of the fetuses (b = 1.15). These data are important today because non invasive methods like ultrasonography make possible to investigate the normal prenatal growth of several organs.