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Updated: May 20, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Customized estimated fetal weight: a novel antenatal tool to diagnose abnormal fetal growth
Benjamin A Kase1, Carlos A Carreno, Sean C Blackwell
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Objective:
We sought to apply customized standards to ultrasound-derived estimated fetal weight (EFW), and assess the frequency of abnormal growth when compared to population-based standards. We also evaluated association with adverse perinatal outcomes.
Study Design:
This was a historical cohort using prenatal ultrasound examination data at ≥24 weeks over a 1-year period. Ultrasound-derived EFW and growth percentile (population-based EFW [popEFW]) were reported and compared to a customized EFW (custEFW).
Results:
In all, 782 women met inclusion criteria. More fetuses were identified as small for gestational age (SGA) (15.1% vs 3.8%; P < .0001) and large for gestational age (LGA) (6.8% vs 1.7%; P < .0001) using custEFW, and adverse perinatal outcomes were more frequent among those identified by the custEFW compared to the popEFW. Both SGA and LGA diagnosed by custEFW were predictive of a neonatal SGA (positive likelihood ratio, 8.64) and LGA (positive likelihood ratio, 15.4).
Conclusion:
CustEFW was a better predictor of abnormal birthweight and adverse outcomes compared to traditional popEFW standards.
