Abstract

Abstract
Background Estimation of GA is vital in obstetric management. Active management and delivery require knowledge of gestational age especially in high risk pregnancies, unreliable precise gestational age lead to adverse pregnancy outcome such as prematurity, low birth weight and prenatal morbidity and mortality.
Objective:To evaluate the use of the transcerebellar diameter versus conventional fetal biometry (Biparietal diameter, Femoral Length, Head circumference and abdominal circumference) for estimation of the gestational age.
Patients and methods: Prospective observational study over one year in AL–Yarmouk Teaching hospital in department of obstetrics and Gynecology was done. One hundred pregnant women were recruited in outpatient clinic and inpatient ward from 20 weeks of gestations. The patients were divided into two groups, those who were followed till term and second group were admitting for emergency management and delivery. Two U/S exams were done for the follow up group (first group), second emergency group were examined once by U/S biometry. Post delivery estimation of gestational age was done by a pediatrician
Results: The results showed Transcerebellar diameter has a high accuracy for gestational age estimation P value< 0.001 and R value = 0.994 and has superior accuracy than other fetal biometry (Biparietal diameter, Femoral length, Abdominal circumference, Head circumference).
Conclusion: Fetal transcerebellar diameter considers the most precise tool for estimation of gestational age as revealed in this study. And as a result of high accuracy transcerebellar diameter can be used in women not sure of her date or lactating women or those with poor antenatal care. Transcerebellar diameter not affected by external factor so can be used in pregnancies that have medical conditions as fetal cerebellum not affected by these condition apart from brain anomalies.