Second Trimester Fetal Thymus Size in Association to Preterm Birth

Introduction The aim of this study was to compare the second trimester thymus-thorax-ratio (TTR) between fetuses born preterm (study group) and those born after 37 weeks of gestation were completed (control group).

Methods This study was conducted as a retrospective evaluation of the ultrasound images of 492 fetuses in the three vessel view. The TTR was defined as the quotient of a.p. thymus diameter and a.p. thoracic diameter.

Results Fetuses that were preterm showed larger TTR (p<0,001) the second trimester than those born after 37 weeks of gestation were completed. The sensitivity of a binary classifier based on TTR for predicting preterm birth (PTB) was 0.792 and the specificity 0.552.

Discussion In our study, fetuses affected by PTB showed enlarged thymus size. These findings led us to hypothesize, that inflammation and immunomodulatory processes are altered early in pregnancies affected by PTB.

Publication History

Article published online:
26 November 2021