Z-score analysis of brain fissure depth in normal fetuses

Abstract

Objective To construct the Z-score models for normal fetal brain fissures. Methods Four hundred and eighty-seven pregnant woman who underwent prenatal ultrasonography from January to August 2018 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were collected randomly for analysis, and all the fetuses(18-38 weeks) were healthy. The calacarine fissure, pariet-ooccipital fissure, sylvian fissure of the fetuses were measured and they were chosed as the dependent variables, while the independent variable were the gestational age and biparietal diamete, as well as femur length. The regression analyses of the mean(M) and the standard deviation(SD) for each parameter were performed separately. Two observers randomly measured the brain fissures depth two hours apart to evaluate the interobserver repeatability. Results The brain fissure depth in normal fetuses during geatational age between 18 to 38 weeks can be evaluated by Z-score model.Positive correlations were found between the depth of calacarine fissure, pariet-ooccipital fissure, sylvian fissure and gestational age, biparietal diameter and femur length. Conclusions Z-score can intuitively reflect the development of brain fissure more accurate, and is valuable, and can be used as a powerful supplement to the traditional method. Key words: Ultrasonography, prenatal; Brain fissure; Z-score