Evaluation of fundal height measurement in antenatal care

The value of symphysis-fundus measurement (fundal height) as a screening procedure for fetal growth was assessed. The reproducibility of measurements between staff of differing antenatal experience was +/- 2 cm in 95% of cases. Fundal height was correlated with ultrasound measurement of biparietal diameter and abdominal area, and coefficients of 0.84 and 0.74 respectively were obtained; 73.1% of babies weighing below the 10th percentile for gestation were detected by one measurement of 3 cm or more below the mean for gestation.