[Fetal growth curve based on gestational age and fetal maturity]

Most of the fetal growth charts available in the literature were created too long ago, based on various populations and using various eligibility criteria. The purpose of our study was to develop a nomogram of fetal weights based on the gestational age and neonatal maturity. The study is prospective and retrospective in nature. 1,748 fetuses of 20 to 40 gestational weeks were assessed directly after birth, and all cases were classified based on the number of weeks of pregnancy completed, but fetuses were not classified based on their gender. The mean weekly weight gain of fetuses was 100 g until the 30 gestation week, and 200 g thereafter. The results we obtained for the 50th percentile for fetus weight were weights meanly 200 g lower than those per Babson's chart (Fenton's scale). The weights in the 10th percentile were also 50-100 g lower until the 31 gestation week, with increasing difference to 150 g thereafter. For 2011, the incidence of growth-retarded fetuses at Maichin Dom Hospital was 7.09% per Babson's chart, and 5.1% according to our data of the 10th percentile. The study demonstrated that nomograms for relevant populations should be used to assess normal growth of fetuses.