Second trimester fetal thymus size in association to preterm birth

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).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.Fetuses that were preterm showed larger...