VP34.02: Use of the focus point for plane acquisition to improve reproducibility in fetal biometry

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To assess reproducibility of ultrasound measurements for fetal biometry, using a focus point (FP) for the acquisition of the relevant plane. 80 women with singleton normal pregnancies were recruited at University College London Hospital between 18 and 37 weeks. Planes to calculate head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were obtained twice by sonographers with different experience, blind to each other, the first time asking to obtain the plane referring to a standard image, the second time using the FP: a unique landmark that once identified, the sonographer is asked to rotate the probe along the 3 axes (x, y, z) to acquire the relevant plane keeping the FP in view (cavum septum pellucidum for HC, 2/3 of the umbilical vein for AC and one of the two diaphysis for FL). Sonographers were in training or with > 3000 scans experience. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility were assessed using Bland-Altman plots calculating mm and %. Overall reproducibility was good with 95% confidence intervals (CI) <8%. Reproducibility was higher using the FP compared with acquiring the plane without using the FP, regardless of sonographer seniority (95% CI <4% versus <6% for intra- and <7% versus <8% for interobserver reproducibility respectively) (table 1: AC data reported). Fetal biometry reproducibility is higher with the use of FP for plane acquisition regardless of sonographer experience. We propose this method to be used for clinical practice and training. VP34.02: Table 1. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility for AC. Values are expressed as a percentage in order to account for changes in fetal size with advancing gestation

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