Objective: To predict intrauterine growth restriction by placental thickness ultrasonographically.

Main Outcome Measures: Correlation of ultrasonographic placental thickness and birth weight of the baby.

Method: A total of 100 patients were observed for correlation of the placental thickness with ultrasonographic gestational age and their outcomes by dividing them into Group-A {fetal weight < 2,500 g (n = 32)} and Group-B {fetal weight >2,500 g (n = 68)}. The mean placental thickness was calculated at the umbilical cord insertion in both groups along with ultrasonographic fetal age and estimated fetal weight.

Results: A positive correlation was observed between placental thickness and ultrasonographic gestational age in both groups (p-value <0.001), with correlation coefficient (‘‘r’’) values of 0.848 in Group-A and 0.910 in Group-B. Mean placental thickness is found to be lower in Group-A (<2.5 kg) between 32 to 36 weeks as compared to Group-B (>2.5 kg) (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion: Measurement of placental thickness at the level of umbilical cord insertion may become a valuable tool to predict low birth weight babies with confirmed gestational age.