Abdominal girth measurement

The measurement of the abdominal girth may be helpful in diagnosing abdominal distention, which commonly results from intestinal gas. Increased abdominal girth may also indicate disease of the intestines or liver.

Review Date: 10/26/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicin; George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.