Objective To compare the adrenal gland size of fetal growth restricted (FGR) and normal control fetuses. Study design In this prospective study the adrenal gland size of 63 FGR fetuses and 343 normal controls was measured between 20 and 41 weeks of gestation. The total width and the medulla width were measured in a new standardized transversal plane. The cortex width and a calculated ratio of the total and medulla width (adrenal gland ratio) were compared between both groups. Results The mean cortex width and the adrenal gland ratio in FGR fetuses were higher in comparison to the controls (P<0.001; P=0.036, respectively). The cortex width correlated positively with the gestational age (control group: P<0.001; FGR group: P=0.089) whilst the adrenal gland ratio showed no association with the gestational age (control group: P=0.153; FGR group: P=0.314). Conclusion The adrenal gland cortex width and the adrenal gland ratio were increased in FGR fetuses compared to normal fetuses.
Keywords: Adrenal gland; fetal growth restriction; gestational age; prenatal ultrasound.