Normative biometrics for fetal ocular growth using volumetric MRI reconstruction

ObjectiveTo determine normative ranges for fetal ocular biometrics between 19 and 38weeks gestational age (GA) using volumetric MRI reconstruction. MethodThe 3D images of 114 healthy fetuses between 19 and 38weeks GA were created using super-resolution volume reconstructions from MRI slice acquisitions. These 3D images were semi-automatically segmented to measure fetal orbit volume, binocular distance (BOD), interocular distance (IOD), and ocular diameter (OD). ResultsAll biometry correlated with GA (Volume, Pearson's correlation coefficient (CC)=0.9680; BOD, CC=0.9552; OD, CC=0.9445; and IOD, CC=0.8429), and growth curves were plotted against linear and quadratic growth models. Regression analysis showed quadratic models to best fit BOD, IOD, and OD and a linear model to best fit volume. ConclusionOrbital volume had the greatest correlation with GA, although BOD and OD also showed strong correlation. The normative data found in this study may be helpful for the detection of congenital fetal anomalies with more consistent measurements than are currently available. (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.