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Published on: June 29, 2013
Customised fetal growth chart: a systematic review
1Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, UK. tagelbaya@aol.com
Insights
Customised fetal growth charts improve the diagnosis of fetal growth restriction by accounting for individual factors. This personalized approach reduces misdiagnosis, leading to better perinatal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Standard population-based fetal growth charts do not account for individual physiological variables affecting fetal weight.
- This can lead to inaccurate diagnoses of fetal growth restriction (FGR).
- Customised fetal growth charts offer a personalized approach to assessing fetal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence on the effectiveness of customised fetal growth charts.
- To evaluate the impact of customised charts on perinatal outcomes compared to standard charts.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline from 1980 to 2004.
- The review focused on studies investigating customised growth charts and their effect on perinatal outcomes.
Main Results:
- Customised charts allow for better differentiation between normal and abnormal fetal smallness.
- They significantly reduce false positive and false negative diagnoses of fetal growth restriction.
- Introduction into clinical practice is ongoing in several UK regions.
Conclusions:
- Customised fetal growth charts are a valuable tool for individualizing fetal weight assessment.
- They improve the accuracy of diagnosing fetal growth restriction, potentially enhancing perinatal care.
- Further implementation and evaluation in clinical practice are recommended.
Abstract:
Customised fetal growth chart is used to individualise fetal weight for gestational age by adjusting for physiological variables known to affect birth weight and growth. Compared with the standard population-based growth chart, the customised growth chart allows for better distinction between normal and abnormal smallness and reduces the false positive and false negative diagnosis of fetal growth restriction. The charts are currently being introduced into clinical practice in the West Midlands as well as in several units around the country. A Medline and systematic review search from 1980 to 2004 was performed in order to collect information and evidence on the use of customised growth chart and its effect on perinatal outcome.
