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November 22, 2009 SEARCH drSpock 
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Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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Meaning of Ultrasound Measurements
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Could you tell me what the measurements taken during an ultrasound mean (specifically BPD, HC, AC, and FL)? All these abbreviations are confusing! Thank you.

— SweetMystery in West Virgina

ANSWER
December 4, 2001
Dear SweetMystery,
I bet a lot of people have the same question!

All the ultrasound measurements you mention can help to assess how far along you are in the pregnancy and how big the baby is getting. A formula can be applied to these numbers that actually gives an estimate of the fetal weight, although it's only accurate to plus or minus 15 percent.
  • BPD is bi-parietal diameter, a measurement across the head.

  • HC is head circumference, measured by outlining around the baby's head.

  • AC is abdominal circumference, measured by outlining around the fetal tummy

  • FL is femur length, a measure of the upper leg bone
I hope this answers your question. Enjoy!

— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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