ANALYSING PLACENTAL THICKNESS IN RELATION TO GESTATIONALAGE AND FETAL WEIGHT – A CORRELATIVE STUDY

Background: Historically, placental weight is about 20% of fetal weight, and placental thickness is connected fetal development.Sonographic placenta evaluation may reveal the fetus's nutrition. Placental thickness usually matches gestational age. Few studies directly link placental thickness to infant outcomes. Objective: To study the association between placental thickness, fetal weight, and gestational age in the second and third trimesters. Methods: 100 pregnant women with gestational ages between 20 to 40 weeks were included in our research. The ultrasound measurements of fetal biometry and placental thickness were obtained utilizing a 3.5 Hz convex array transducer. Results: Placental thickness signicantly varies with placental grade and position. The presence of retro-placental hematoma signicantly increases thickness compared to its absence. Other factors like history of previous LSCS and hypothyroidism presence did not show signicant differences in placental thickness. The study found that the presence of hematoma signicantly increased thickness compared to its absence. Conclusion: Apositive correlation between placental thickness and gestational age and fetal weight was established throughout the second and third trimesters. Thus, measuring placental thickness should be included alongside biometric parameters in ultrasounds for antenatal women.