Identification of Corticomedullary Differentiation Along Different Stage of Pregnancy

Corticomedullary differentiation (CMD) abnormality (absent/reversed) is a parameter that can indicate possible nephropathy. The evolution of CMD across gestation had not been well established. Devrendt et al demonstrated the presence of CMD in all fetuses older then 20 weeks. In our study we would like to determine the exact timing of it's sonographic visualisation. This is a prospective study recruiting women between 14-24 week gestation during routine ultrasound screening. A midsagittal image of each kidney will be taken by a single sonographer and examined for the presence of the CMD by two other sonographers blinded to gestational age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pregnant women 14-24 weeks
• singleton pregnancy
• Appropriate for gestational age fetuses
• well dated pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

• family history of renal disease
• small /large for gestational age fetuses
• known structural anomalies
• unknown dating