Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Objective: Renal development is impaired in fetal growth restriction (FGR) as a result of preferential fetal blood flow to the brain and heart, depriving other organs, including the kidneys, from oxygen and nutrients. Renal size could thus be impaired in that condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference between fetal kidney lengths of intrauterine growth restricted fetuses and fetuses with normal growth, in the third trimester of pregnancy. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: This study was conducted at the obstetrics and gynaecology department in Kasr Al Ainy Hospital from September 2018 to September 2019. Sample: It included 100 women, pregnant in the third trimester, within 28-38 weeks of gestation. The women were divided into two equal groups: a study group with fetal growth restriction and a control group with normal fetal growth parameters. Methods: Fetal kidney length was measured using 2-dimensional ultrasound, in addition to standard fetal biometric measurements and fetal well-being assessment of all patients, specifically comparing kidney length between the growth restricted fetuses and those with normal growth at the same gestational ages. Results: We did not detect any significant differences in mean kidney lengths between normal and growth restricted fetuses at the same gestational ages. Mean kidney length in fetal growth restriction was (33.34 ± 3.09 cm) while in normal fetuses was (33.8 ± 3.12 cm). However,there was a significant difference in fetal renal artery Doppler between the two

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