A new method of evaluating fetal growth

Area of Science:

• Fetal development and growth assessment
• Biometry and anthropometry in obstetrics
• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) research

Background:

• Accurate assessment of fetal growth is crucial for identifying intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
• Existing methods for estimating fetal brain weight (BrW) and body weight (BW) have limitations.
• Understanding the relationship between fetal brain and body size is key to diagnosing growth abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for estimating fetal brain weight (BrW) from fetal body weight (BW) using a modified exponential function.
• To establish methods for determining fetal BrW from neurocranial cross-sectional area (CSA).
• To introduce quantitative indexes for assessing fetal brain-to-body weight ratios and somatic growth retardation in IUGR.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a modified exponential function to correlate fetal brain weight (BrW) with total body weight (BW).
• Employed neurocranial cross-sectional area (CSA) of the fronto-parieto-occipital plane to estimate fetal BrW.
• Developed the brain size index (BSI) and somatic retardation index (SRI) based on estimated BrW and BW.

Main Results:

• The modified exponential function showed close agreement between measured and calculated fetal BrW (p = 0.9841, Sy = 6.16 g).
• Fetal BrW estimation from CSA yielded a standard error of the estimate (Sy) of 8.03 g.
• The BSI and SRI provide quantitative measures of relative brain and body weights, and severity of IUGR pathology.

Conclusions:

• The developed exponential function accurately estimates fetal brain weight from body weight.
• Neurocranial CSA is a reliable parameter for estimating fetal brain weight in utero.
• The BSI and SRI are valuable tools for quantifying fetal growth disturbances and the severity of IUGR.