ORBITAL DIAMETER, INTERORBITAL AND BIOCUL AR DIAMETERS - A GROWTH-MODEL FOR FETAL ORBITAL PARAMETERS

Aim: Aim of this study was to establish a growth model for the intraut erine growth of the following fetal parameters: orbital diameter, inte rorbital and biocular diameters. Method: Data were measured in a prosp ective cross-sectional study with real-time ultrasound. The study grou p consisted of 1090 healthy fetuses between 12 and 41 weeks gestation. For curve standardisation a growth model for all parameters was used. Results: Using this growth model growth profiles (5., 50., and 95. pe rcentiles) were established. All orbital parameters showed a nonlinear growth. Conclusion: Since ocular and orbital malformations (anophthal mia, microphthalmia, hypo- and hypertelorism) are often principal sign s of generalised syndromes, orbital biometry is helpful for a detailed prenatal investigation of the fetal face. This is demonstrated in 2 c ases with an orbital malformation (orbital hypoplasia, hypotelorism).