Comparison of sonographic triplet fetal growth measurements between Japanese and American populations.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in several triplet fetal growth parameters associated with gestational age by means of a longitudinal study designed to compare ethnic differences in fetal growth in Japanese and American populations.

SUBJECTS: Twenty-one Japanese triplet fetuses (7 triplet pregnancies) and 21 American triplet fetuses (7 triplet pregnancies). The Japanese pregnancies were in middle-class Japanese women living in the Kagawa area; the American pregnancies, in middle-class white women living in the Houston area.

METHODS

Head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated weight were measured every 2 to 3 weeks from 15 weeks of gestational age until delivery. Values for each parameter at each gestational age were measured in each fetal group, and the data of the groups were compared.

RESULTS

Head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated weight were significantly lower in the Japanese than in the American triplet fetuses after 20 weeks of gestation (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that triplet fetal growth in Japanese populations and American populations differs significantly in the second half of pregnancy.