P Johnson1, D Maxwell. 1. Imperial College School of Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK. pjohnson@ic.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To construct a reference range for fetal penile length. METHODS: The length of the penis was measured during ultrasound assessment of 95 structurally normal male fetuses of gestational ages 16-38 weeks. Two fetuses with bladder outflow obstruction were also examined. RESULTS: Fetal penile length increases significantly with gestational age, from a mean value of 6.0 mm at 16 weeks to 26.4 mm at 38 weeks. One fetus with urethral agenesis had a penile length on the 0.3rd centile. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the fetal penis is easy and not time-consuming. In cases of bladder outflow obstruction, assessment of penile length assists in the differentiation between urethral agenesis and posterior urethral valves.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a reference range for fetal penile length. METHODS: The length of the penis was measured during ultrasound assessment of 95 structurally normal male fetuses of gestational ages 16-38 weeks. Two fetuses with bladder outflow obstruction were also examined. RESULTS: Fetal penile length increases significantly with gestational age, from a mean value of 6.0 mm at 16 weeks to 26.4 mm at 38 weeks. One fetus with urethral agenesis had a penile length on the 0.3rd centile. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the fetal penis is easy and not time-consuming. In cases of bladder outflow obstruction, assessment of penile length assists in the differentiation between urethral agenesis and posterior urethral valves.
Authors: Carla B M Gallo; Waldemar S Costa; Angelica Furriel; Ana L Bastos; Francisco J B Sampaio Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-08-29 Impact factor: 3.240