What are the implications of dolichocephalic fetal head?
Dr Ashok Khurana
Director, Genitourinary and Vascular Ultrasound,
The Ultrasound Lab,
New Delhi
Director, Genitourinary and Vascular Ultrasound,
The Ultrasound Lab,
New Delhi
Q: I had a level 2 sonogram at 20 4/7 weeks. The results of the sonogram are - No evidence of fetal anomalies. However, shape of fetal head is Dolichocephalic. What does that mean? I understand that it is related to the head measurements. Is it a cause of concern?
A:Dolicocephaly refers to a head shape that is longer than wide. Most of the time this is a normal variant and a follow-up scan would confirm this. Occasionally this is a sign of a generalised disorder of organ formation and this would be more evident in the follow-up scan. Once that is clear there is no cause for worry.