Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Use of the fetal chest in estimating fetal weight
H N Winn1, P N Rauk, R H Petrie
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri.
Objective:
This study was designed to develop formulas using the chest circumference instead of the abdominal circumference for estimating fetal weight.
Study Design:
Ultrasonographic measurements of the chest circumference, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, humeral length, and femoral length were obtained in 75 term fetuses of uncomplicated pregnancies within 24 hours of delivery. Three equations for fetal weight estimation that used the chest circumference, instead of the abdominal circumference, in combination with the biparietal diameter or the humeral length were developed by regression analysis.
Results:
The average mean errors of fetal weight estimation for these equations vary from 7.1% to 7.6%.
Conclusions:
These equations may be used in predicting the birth weight when the fetal abdomen is altered by certain fetal abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:24Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation
Thoracic Palpation
Thoracic palpation detects tenderness, masses, lesions, respiratory excursions, and vocal fremitus. The nurse assesses...