The Correlation of the Aborted Human Foetal Lung to Body Weight Ratio in Relation with the Gestational Age

Abstract

Respiratory system is made up of specialized cells and tissues that play a vital role in the gas exchange and the development of lung is a very significant as it  influences the independent viability of the fetus .There are only few studies on the growth of human lung in relation with fetal body weight. In this study we have assessed the Correlation of the aborted human foetal lung to body weight ratio in relation with the gestational age.This study involved 77  human aborted normal  fetuses collected from the OBG (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) department of KAMS&RC, Hyderabad, Telangana after institutional ethical committee [IEC ]approval and informed consent.The weight of the fetal lung and fetuses  was measured in grams on digital weighing machine. The range ,mean values of all parameters by gestational age [GA]was calculated and analyzed. The data was represented graphically by using appropriate statistical analysis. The data suggest a steady increase in lung weights[LW] with advancing gestational age  from 12^th  week to 40^th  weeks of gestation. The close similarity between the right and left lung growth rates implies symmetrical lung development.The weight of left lung was seen less than the weight of right lung throughout the gestational weeks.The results in this study indicate a statistically significant decrease in the fetal lung to birth weight ratio [LW/BW]as gestation progresses from 12^th week (0.0945) to 40^th week (0.0155).The findings could be used as reference values for normal lung development. Deviations from these trends could indicate potential growth anomalies, which may necessitate further medical evaluation