Three-Dimensional Ultrasound in Fetal Size and Growth Assessment

We present herein modern three-dimensional (3D) sonographic studies on fetal growth and development, and various fetal volume measurements. The introduction of 3D ultrasound would allow for the assessment of fetal soft tissue deposition, fetal weight estimation, and the volume calculation of fetal organs. With the recent advance in the 3D power Doppler ultrasound as well as the quantitative 3D histogram analysis, quantitative 3D power Doppler in the assessment of the vascularization and the blood flow of the fetal organs and placenta has become feasible. These novel techniques may assist in the evaluation of fetal growth and development, and offer the potential advantages relative to conventional twodimensional fetal growth assessments. 3D ultrasound may be an important modality in future fetal growth and developmental research and in evaluation of fetal growth abnormalities.