PATTERN AND PROCESS OF GROWTH OF THE ABNORMAL HUMAN FETUS

Identifying patterns of fetal growth alteration benefits both the clin ician and the researcher. Twenty-four measurements in three variable s ets (anthropometric measures, organ weights, and long-bone measures fr om radiographs) were taken on fetuses both with and without pathologic al conditions that are suspected to result in growth alteration. In ad dition, radiographs of each case were examined for the presence or abs ence of ossification centers, Based on least-squares regressions of th e normal group, we calculated standardized residuals for the affected group to identify patterns of growth alteration. A large sample of fet uses between 15 and 42 weeks of gestational age with a variety of path ological conditions is described and evaluated for growth alterations. Symmetric and asymmetric growth alteration was detected in a small pa rt of the sample and was predominantly isolated to fetuses in the late third trimester. Although patterns of growth alteration have been sug gested as a means for noninvasive diagnoses of syndromes (such as tris omy 21), no consistent patterns are discernible in the current group. The sample provides a unique opportunity to evaluate fetal growth in t erms of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences.