Fetal biometry assessment of biparietal diameter for Saudi Arabia population and comparison with other countries

In this study, a new reference range of biparietal diameter (BPD) is developed based on Saudi Arabia population. A number of 2075 pregnant women who attend the maternity check up in 2013 to 2015 at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Maternity and Children of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, were involved in this study. The data were recorded from 12^th to 40^th weeks of gestational age (GA). The BPD was measured using Sony Corporation 1-7-1 Konan Minator-K. On-screen caliper is used to measure the BPD parameter on the frozen image using linear method. The SPSS software version 22.0 was used for analysis, with statistical analysis were performed such as compare means, regression analysis and paired sample t-test. Results show that higher BPD growth rate was found in second trimester (12^th to 25^th weeks of GA) with 2.90 mm/week compared to third trimester (26^th to 40^th weeks of GA) with only 1.68 mm/week, proved that the rapid growth of fetus head in second trimester than third trimester. Further analysis on maternal age, number of gravid and gender of the fetus were found no significant impact on the BPD values (p values ≥ 0.05). The BPD value of this study shows no significant difference with the BPD values of USA [1], Norway [2], Australia [3], Zimbabwe [4], India [5], China [6] and Malaysia [7]. Thus, this new BPD values are highly recommended to be used by the medical practitioner as the reference range of fetus biometry for Saudi Arabia population, in regards to provide a better healthcare and well being of the maternal and fetuses.