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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
High Frequency Ultrasound for the Analysis of Fetal and Placental Development In Vivo
Published on: November 8, 2018
Detection of small- and large-for-gestational age using different combinations of prenatal and postnatal charts
S Mathewlynn1, L Impey1, C Ioannou1
1Fetal Medicine Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Insights
The choice of estimated-fetal-weight (EFW) and birth-weight (BW) charts significantly impacts the detection rates for small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonates. Standardized chart selection is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Neonatal diagnostics
Background:
- Accurate fetal growth assessment is vital for identifying small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonates.
- Existing estimated-fetal-weight (EFW) and birth-weight (BW) charts vary, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how different combinations of EFW and BW charts influence the detection rates of SGA and LGA at birth.
- To assess the variability in sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values based on chart selection.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 17,678 singleton term births at a university hospital over 3 years.
- Universal 36-week ultrasound for EFW and recorded BW at delivery.
- Analysis using five different reference charts for EFW and BW centile calculations.
Main Results:
- Sensitivity for detecting SGA (BW <10th centile) using EFW <10th centile ranged from 10.8% to 66.8%.
- Sensitivity for detecting LGA (BW >90th centile) using EFW >90th centile ranged from 22.9% to 68.3%.
- Locally derived charts showed 43.7% sensitivity for SGA and 49.6% for LGA detection.
Conclusions:
- The selection of EFW and BW charts significantly alters SGA and LGA detection rates within the same cohort.
- Standardized reference charts and methodologies are essential for consistent and meaningful performance indicators in perinatal care.
Objective:
To determine the extent to which the detection rate of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) at birth is influenced by the use of different combinations of estimated-fetal-weight (EFW) and birth-weight (BW) charts.
Methods:
This was a cohort study of all pregnant women with a singleton term birth receiving care in a university hospital during a 3-year period. All participants underwent a universal 36-week ultrasound scan for EFW measurement and had BW recorded at delivery. Five different reference charts were used for EFW and BW centile calculation. Two-by-two contingency tables were constructed using EFW as the screening test variable and BW as the outcome variable in order to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value for all possible chart combinations.
Results:
The cohort included 17 678 pregnancies. The sensitivity of EFW < 10th centile for the detection of BW < 10th centile ranged from 10.8% to 66.8% and the sensitivity of EFW < 3rd centile for the detection of BW < 3rd centile ranged from 4.1% to 66.8%, depending on the charts used. The sensitivity of EFW > 90th centile for BW > 90th centile ranged between 22.9% and 68.3%. When locally derived charts for EFW and BW were used, the sensitivity of detection of BW < 10th centile using EFW < 10th centile was 43.7% (PPV, 45.5%); for the detection of BW < 3rd centile using EFW < 3rd centile, the sensitivity was 25.6% (PPV, 26.7%) and, for the detection of BW > 90th centile using EFW > 90th centile, it was 49.6% (PPV, 49.0%).
Conclusions:
Different combinations of EFW and BW charts can yield vastly different detection rates (sensitivity) in the same population cohort and time period. If SGA and LGA detection rates are to be used as a meaningful performance indicator, healthcare systems should follow a clear and predefined methodology that includes explicit definitions of common reference standards. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
