FETAL GALLBLADDER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DURING GESTATION

This study sought to establish normal dimensions of the fetal gallbladder throughout pregnancy. The gallbladders in 300 normal fetuses between 15 and 40 weeks of gestation were measured prospectively for length, anteroposterior dimension, and transverse dimension. The gallbladder length, anteroposterior diameter, and transverse diameter have a linear relationship with gestational age between 15 weeks and 30 weeks of gestation, after which a plateau is observed. Calculated gallbladder area, volume, and sagittal perimeter have similar rates of growth in utero. The normative dimensions we have established for the fetal gallbladder throughout pregnancy can be expected to serve as a basis against which aberrant growth can be evaluated prenatally.