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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Gastroschisis: incidence and prediction of growth restriction
Insights
Ultrasound accurately predicts if newborns with gastroschisis will be small for gestational age (SGA). This prenatal diagnosis helps anticipate and manage SGA in infants with gastroschisis.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Fetal Surgery
- Neonatology
Background:
- Gastroschisis is associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
- Ultrasound may underestimate fetal weight, leading to overdiagnosis of IUGR.
- Accurate prediction of fetal growth is crucial for managing gastroschisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in predicting small for gestational age (SGA) at birth in fetuses with gastroschisis.
- To assess the reliability of sonographic fetal weight estimation for identifying SGA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis cases.
- Fetal weight estimated using Hadlock formula; IUGR defined as estimated fetal weight ≤10th percentile.
- SGA defined as birth weight ≤10th percentile; incidence and predictive value calculated.
Main Results:
- 36% of fetuses showed IUGR on last ultrasound; 52% of newborns were SGA at birth.
- All cases suspected of IUGR prenatally were confirmed SGA postnatally.
- The positive predictive value of the last ultrasound for identifying SGA was 100%.
Conclusions:
- Over half of infants with gastroschisis are born SGA.
- Prenatal sonographic estimation of fetal weight is a reliable predictor of SGA in gastroschisis cases.
- Accurate ultrasound assessment aids in anticipating and managing neonatal outcomes.
Aims:
Fetuses with gastroschisis are at increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). However, there is a tendency for underestimation of fetal abdominal circumference and hence fetal weight, leading to overdiagnosis of IUGR. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound for the prediction of being small for gestational age (SGA) at birth in these cases.
Methods:
A retrospective study of prenatally diagnosed cases of gastroschisis was conducted at a tertiary center. Fetal weight was estimated using the formula of Hadlock. IUGR was defined as an estimated fetal weight ≤10th percentile for gestational age. SGA at the time of birth was defined as a birth weight ≤10th percentile for gestational age. The incidence of IUGR on last ultrasound and that of SGA at birth were calculated, and the precision of ultrasound in predicting SGA was determined.
Results:
IUGR was reported on the last ultrasound prior to delivery in 9/25 cases (36%). Postnatally, 13/25 newborns (52%) were SGA. All sonographically suspected cases of IUGR based on the last ultrasound were SGA at birth. The positive predictive value of the last ultrasound in identifying SGA was 100%.
Conclusions:
At least half of the infants affected by gastroschisis were SGA at birth. Sonographic estimation of fetal weight within 1 month of birth reliably predicted SGA in infants with gastroschisis.
