Crown-rump length

Overview
Crown Rump Length is usually abbreviated as CRL. It is the measurement of the length of the unborn human fetus from the top of the head (crown) to the bottom of the buttocks (rump).

Measuring
The fetus floats in the amniotic fluid inside the uterus of the mother usually in a curved posture resembling the letter C. The measurement can actually vary slightly if the fetus is temporarily stretching (straightening) its body. The measurement needs to be in the natural state with an unstretched body which is actually C shaped. The measurement of CRL is useful in determining the gestational age (menstrual age starting from the first day of the last menstrual period) and thus the expected date of delivery (EDD). Different babies do grow at different rates and thus the gestational age is an approximation. Early in pregnancy it is accurate within +/- 4 days but later in pregnancy due to different growth rates, the accuracy is less. In that situation, other parameters can be used in addition to CRL.

Gestational age is not the same as fetal age. It takes about 14 days from the first day of the last menstrual period for conception to take place and thus for the conceptus to form. The age from this point in time (conception) is called the fetal age and is thus 2 weeks shorter than the gestational age. Thus a 6 week gestational age would be a 4 week fetal age. Some authorities however casually interchange these terms and the reader is advised to be cautious. An average gestational period (duration of pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period up to delivery) is 280 days. Thus if all months were of 31 days, it would be 9 months and 1 day.

Typical measurements
Following formula is an approximation:

Gestational age (weeks) = crown-rump length (cm) + 6.5