Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41699140›Full record

ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2026

Diameter of the fetal pancreas and abdomen-to-pancreas-ratio: novel ultrasound parameters in fetal growth restriction.

Lotta von der Gathen, Janina Braun, Mareike Möllers, Chiara De Santis, Daniela Willy, Rene Schmidt, Kathleen Oberste, Ralf Schmitz, Kathrin Oelmeier

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Lotta von der GathenDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Janina BraunDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Mareike MöllersDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Chiara De SantisDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Daniela WillyDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Rene SchmidtInstitute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Munster, Germany.
Kathleen ObersteDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany.
Ralf SchmitzDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Florence-Nightingale-Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Kathrin OelmeierDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Munster, Germany. kathrin.oelmeier@ukmuenster.de.ORCID 0000-0001-8298-6966

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe aim of this study was to compare fetal pancreas size at second trimester ultrasound screening of growth-restricted and normal weight fetuses.

methodsOne hundred sixty-six fetuses between 18 + 0 and 21 + 6 weeks of gestation were included in this retrospective study. 83 fetuses with a birth weight below the 10th centile were included in the study group which was further subdivided into two subgroups depending on the presence (subgroup 1) or absence (subgroup 2) of prenatal signs of fetal growth restriction. The control group consisted of 83 normal fetuses matched for sex and gestational age at examination. The pancreatic diameter (PD) was measured in a standard 2D plane of the fetal abdomen. Statistical analyses comprised descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and multivariable modelling to explore group differences and covariate effects on pancreatic diameter.

resultsThe diameter of the pancreas was increased in the LBW group compared to the control group [3.7 mm vs. 3.1 mm (p < 0.001)]. The ratio of abdominal circumference (AC) to pancreatic diameter was significantly smaller in the LBW group [41.51 vs. 50.62 (p < 0.001)]. The result was consistent in the subgroup analysis. The difference of the median PD and ratio of AC/PD is greatest in subgroup 1 compared to the control group [PD: 4.2 mm vs. 3.1 mm (p < 0.001) and AC/PD-ratio 35.33 vs. 51.88 (p < 0.001)].

conclusionThe diameter of the fetal pancreas, as measured in this study, is a valuable parameter for the detection of small for gestational age and growth-restricted fetuses. Further studies are needed to further validate our results and their implication for clinical decision-making.

Indexed as

AbdomenFetal Growth RetardationPancreasUltrasonography, PrenatalAdultFemaleGestational AgeHumansOrgan SizePregnancyPregnancy Trimester, SecondRetrospective StudiesFetal growth restrictionFetal organ mappingPancreatic diameterPrenatal ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID41699140
PMCPMC12909501

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