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Comparison of Various Formulas (Hadlock's I and II, Merz, Shepard, Campbell, Wilkin's) to Calculate Birth Weight by
R Mahesh Anirudh1, T Shriram2, C S Prabhu3
1Postgraduate Student, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry, India.
Background:
Accurate fetal weight estimation is crucial in obstetric care, aiding in the management of intrauterine growth restriction, macrosomia, and perinatal decision-making.
Aim:
To compare the accuracy of different sonographic formulas for estimating fetal birth weight and determine the most reliable formula.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective comparative study was conducted in the Department of Radiology at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry. A total of 110 pregnant women with gestational ages above 37 weeks were enrolled. Ultrasound examinations were performed using the Mindray DC 80 scanner. Estimated fetal weights using Hadlock's I and II, Merz, Shepard, Campbell, and Wilkin's formulas were compared with actual birth weights. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey's test, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Results:
Hadlock I and III demonstrated the highest accuracy, particularly in the 2.6-3.0 kg range. Merz and Wilkin's formulas overestimated higher birth weights, while the Shepard formula consistently underestimated fetal weight.
Conclusion:
Hadlock I and III are the most reliable formulas for fetal weight estimation. Selection of an appropriate formula is essential for clinical accuracy.
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