Interpretation of ultrasound abbreviations

In the ultrasound examination performed during pregnancy, the so-called obstetrics, we use abbreviations from the English language. Usually, ultrasound machines are programmed in such a way that most of the measurements or the markings of organs are written in English. During pregnancy ultrasound, women often do not understand abbreviations such as GS, EDD, GA, FL, AC, BPD or THD or cereb. Do you also have a problem with understanding ultrasound records? Or maybe you are wondering what a specific abbreviation, eg AUA, means? Relax - read the article. We come to help in it. 

Pregnancy ultrasound abbreviations: what do they mean?

Familiarize yourself with the most important abbreviations that appear during the ultrasound performed during pregnancy. From now on, none of the shortcuts presented below will be a mystery to you.

GS (gestational sac)

In the early ultrasound examination, when we confirm an intrauterine pregnancy, we evaluate the parameter: GS (gestational sac), i.e. dimensions of the gestational sac in the uterine cavity. The bubble is measured in 3 dimensions from which the average is reported. This data appears in the ultrasound report.

CRL (crown-rump length)

Another abbreviation used during pregnancy ultrasound is when the embryo is already visible. We evaluate then embryo parietal length (from the top of the head to the end of the sacrum) and this is "coded" as: CRL (crown-rump length).

EED (estimated due date)

Another abbreviation that you will encounter in the ultrasound report is: EDD (estimated due date), i.e. expected date of delivery resulting from the date of the last menstruation or from ultrasound measurements. If your menstrual cycles have not been regular, it is the ultrasound assessment that will be more important. 

GA (getational age)

There is also an abbreviation associated with the due date: GA (getational age). Means gestational age administered at the end of pregnancy weeks + number of days.

AUA (average ultrasound age)

Another abbreviation for gestational age is AUA (average ultrasound age) average age of ultrasound. It results from measurements made during a given test.

Until when is it possible to verify the gestational age (AUA according to USG)?

In the second and third trimester ultrasound, it is impossible to measure the entire fetus, so the baby's growth is assessed on the basis of measuring the length of long bones and circumference of the head and abdomen. On the basis of these measurements, however, we do not change the expected date of birth, because the influences of genes from ancestors are revealed here. As a result, one toddler will be 2900g on time and another will weigh 4200g. However, this does not mean that one is more mature than the other.

Verification of the gestational age is possible only in the first trimester of pregnancy on the basis of the CRL measurement.

Hadlock methodology: what does it mean?

They are used to estimate the weight of the fetus mathematical algorithms in the software of the ultrasound machine. It is most often used Hadlock methodology. According to her, it is given in the report estimated weight of the fetus, that is: EFW (estimated fetal weight).

For the Hadlock Methodology, the following measurements are needed:

• BPD (biparietal diameter) - biparietal diameter of the head;
• HC (head circumference) - the circumference of the fetal head;
• AC (abdominal circumference) - the circumference of the fetal abdomen;
• FL (femur length) - the length of the femur.

Other abbreviations in ultrasound in pregnancy: cereb or THD in ultrasound - what do they mean?

In the ultrasound report, you may find other abbreviations.

These are measurements of other bones or structures viewed during the examination. They will usually be measured in the toddler's head right and left lateral ventricles -V or LV (from lateral ventricle), can be measured cerebellum - cereb or cer (from cerebellum) or in another designation THD (from transhemispheric diameter). The ultrasound report may also include the abbreviation CM for great tank (from cisterna magna).

FHR (fetal heart rate)

In the assessment of ultrasound in pregnancy, FHR (fetal heart rate) is of course one of the most important abbreviations. This abbreviation is called fetal heart ratethe norm of which depends on the gestational age.

Summary of the ultrasound examination result

The most important thing is always summary of the ultrasound result by the examining physicianwhich is in the descriptive section. The doctor also summarizes the ultrasound examination orally, stating that "the result is within or outside the normal range". After the ultrasound examination, you will receive information whether there is anything else that needs to be re-examined, or whether the planned examination following the established scheme is sufficient.