Title: Ultrasound Assessment of Placental Thickness in The Last Two Trimesters of Normal Pregnancy and Its Relation with Fetal Outcome
Abstract: Background: The placenta is avital organ which plays an important role in the normal fetal growth and development process.The aim of work: Is to assess the relation between thickness of the placenta during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and fetal birth weight and placental weight.Patients & Methods: 50 cases of uncomplicated pregnant women who were attended the outpatient clinic at Zagazig University Maternity Hospital were involved in this cohort studyfrom the period between June 2018 to March 2019;, The thickness of the placenta was measured by transabdominal ultrasound during second and third trimester.The relation between thickness of the placentaand fetal outcome was examined by Pearson's correlation.Results: according to our study there was positive relation between thickness of the placenta at the 2 nd trimester and 3 rd trimester with fetal birth weight, placental weight and APGAR score.The fetal outcome was better with normal placental thickness (10 th -90 th ) in comparison to that with thin (<10 th ) and thick placenta (>90 th ) &the incidence of NICU admission increased in thick placenta and thin placenta.Conclusions: The thickness of the placenta by ultrasound can be used beside other biometric parameters in predicting neonatal outcome and measurement of placental parameters should be involved in all routine antenatal ultrasounds.