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Fetal growth potential in Kinshasa, Dr Congo
Lokomba Bolamba Vicky1, Tandu-Umba Barthelemy, Mbungu Mwimba Roger
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinics of Kinshasa , DR Congo.
Insights
This study developed a local birthweight prediction equation in Kinshasa, confirming customized birthweight
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatal Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate birthweight prediction is crucial for assessing fetal growth.
- Existing models may not be optimal for diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine a local birthweight prediction equation.
- Establish fetal growth potential.
- Evaluate customized birthweight's ability to identify growth-disordered neonates.
Main Methods:
- Studied 261 mother-infant couples from 20 weeks gestation to term.
- Utilized Gardosi's model for local prediction equations and fetal growth potential.
- Calculated customized and population-based optimal birthweights.
- Assessed neonatal outcomes against both standards.
Main Results:
- Maternal fat mass correlated positively with birthweight but didn't significantly alter the prediction equation.
- Local prediction coefficients were similar to Caucasian-based models.
- Customized standards suggested higher risk for adverse neonatal outcomes, though sample size limited definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- The local birthweight prediction equation is comparable to international models.
- Confirms the utility of customized birthweight in identifying growth-disordered neonates in a sub-Saharan setting.
Objectives:
To determine the local prediction equation of birthweight. -To establish fetal growth potential. -To seek for ability of customised birthweight to identify growth disordered neonates.
Methodology:
A sample of 261 mother-infant couples was studied from 20 week gestation throughout term in the largest maternity of Kinshasa. Using Gardosi's model local prediction equation of birthweight and fetal growth potential were established. After calculating customised and population-based optimal birthweights, we evaluated neonatal outcomes according to both standards.
Results:
Maternal fat mass had strong positive correlation with birthweight (p=0.003) but did not bring significant change into the prediction equation of birthweight (R(2)=0.264) probably due to its strong correlation with booking weight. The local coefficients and constant were similar to Caucasian based models. Although risk for neonatal adverse outcome was more likely to be higher with customised standards, the small number of SGAs and LGAs as well as large confidence intervals could not allow to draw strong conclusions.
Conclusion:
The value of predictive equation of birthweight of our model is similar to that of European, American, and Oceanian models, confirming, in our sub-Saharan setting too, the ability of customised birthweight to better identify growth disordered neonates according to their growth potential.
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