Sonographic Determination of Gestational Age

Appropriate assessment of gestational age is paramount in obstetric care. Making appropriate management decisions requires accurate appraisal of gestational age. Accurate pregnancy dating may assist obstetricians in appropriately counseling women who are at risk of a preterm delivery about likely neonatal outcomes and is also essential in the evaluation of fetal growth and the detection of intrauterine growth restriction. Accurate gestational age is also important in the interpretation of biochemical serum screening test or for counselling patients regarding the option of pregnancy termination. Since clinical data such as the menstrual cycle or uterine size often are not reliable, the most precise parameter for pregnancy dating should be determined by the obstetrician by ultrasound early in the pregnancy. Ultrasound is an accurate and useful modality for the assessment of gestational age in the first and second trimester of pregnancy and, as a routine part of prenatal care, can greatly impact obstetric management and improve antepartum care.