International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, ISSN: 2051-5731, Vol., Issue. 1 © RECENT SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS ARCHIVES |March 2014|$25.00 | 27703215| *This article is authorized for use only by Recent Science Journal Authors, Subscribers and Partnering Institutions* Relationship of Fetal Liver Volume with Estimated Fetal Weight and Gestational Age: A 2-Dimensional Ultrasonographic Study of Normal Nigerian Fetuses Chiegwu HU Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. Okafor II Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. Ohagwu CC Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. Ogbu SOI Department of Medical Radiography, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria Udoh BE Department of Radiography, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Ugwuanyi DC Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. Eze JC Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. Agbo SO Poly Sub-District Hospital, Asata Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria Corresponding Author Email: huche2006@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal liver volume (FLV) and, estimated fetal weight (EFW) and gestational age (GA). Patients and Methods: Liver volumes were prospectively measured by a single sonographer in 1847 apparently normal singleton fetuses between 20weeks and 41weeks gestational age using two-dimensional ultrasonography. The pregnant women who were evaluated were those who underwent obstetric ultrasound scan between January 2011 and September 2012. The means ± standard deviations of FLV and EFW were obtained for each completed weeks of gestation. The relationships between FLV and, EFW and estimated GA were expressed graphically with EFW and estimated GA plotted on the vertical axis and FLV on the horizontal axis. Trend lines and regression equations expressing the relationship between EFW and FLV, and estimated GA and FLV were inserted in the graphs. Results: The mean FLV was 9.27 ± 0.81cm 3 at 20 weeks and 110.71 ± 3.95cm 3 at 41 weeks. The mean EFW was 188 ± 5g at 20 weeks and 4650 ± 988g at 41 weeks GA. There was a steady linear increase in values of FLV with increasing EFW and GA. Strong positive correlations were found between FLV and EFW, GA and other biometric parameters (p < 0.05). The derived linear relationships could be used to estimated fetal weight and GA from FLV starting from 20 weeks GA. Conclusion: This study has established linear relationships between estimated fetal weight and gestational age, and fetal liver volume. These findings demonstrate that fetal weight and gestational age can be estimated from 20 weeks using the regression equations obtained in this study. While ultrasound measurement of fetal abdominal parameters can be used to estimated fetal weight and identify growth-restricted fetus, we are of the opinion that fetal liver volume by two-dimensional ultrasonography can also be used for the same purpose. Keywords - Fetal weight, Fetal liver volume, Ultrasound, Normal pregnancy. 1. INTRODUCTION The fetal liver occupies about two-thirds of the fetal abdomen and is thought to contribute a significant percentage of the fetal weight. Fetal abdominal measurements for the purposes of estimating gestational age and weight are usually taken at a plane where the liver