2026
3
7
Determination of Fetal Gastric Size in Normal Singleton Pregnancy at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria
Authors
,
Publication Information
Volume:
1
Pages:
13
Submitted:
September 28, 2026
Status:
Pending
Abstract
Background: The fetal stomach becomes sonographically visible from about 9 weeks and is consistently detectable from 14 weeks. Gastric size varies with gestational age and can signal pathology such as atresia or polyhydramnios. However, there is lack of reference values for Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
Objectives: To determine fetal gastric size in normal singleton pregnancy at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, and its relationship with gestational age, abdominal circumference, and maternal anthropometry.
Methods: This cross-sectional study at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria (June 2022 to March 2023) recruited 138 women with normal singleton pregnancies by convenience sampling. Transabdominal ultrasound was used to measure fetal gastric size and abdominal circumference at maximum axial circumference, along with maternal anthropometric variables. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20.0 using Pearson correlation, p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Fetal gastric size ranged from 0.5-7.0 mm (second trimester) to 0.6-12.2 mm (third trimester); abdominal circumference 13-26 cm to 25-37 cm; and gestational age 19-27 to 26-40 weeks. Gastric size correlated strongly with gestational age (second: r = 0.584, p <0.001; third: r = 0.511, p <0.001) and moderately with abdominal circumference (r = 0.350, p = 0.012; r = 0.483, p <0.001). Correlations with maternal anthropometry were weak to moderate.
Conclusions: Reference values for fetal gastric size were established for singleton pregnancy at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia. Size correlated strongly with gestational age and moderately with abdominal circumference, supporting its use in monitoring fetal growth and detecting anomalies.
