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Intrauterine growth retardation. Antenatal diagnosis by ultrasound
Insights
Serial cephalometry helps assess fetal growth potential and identify growth restriction types. Monitoring is recommended for fetuses below the 25th percentile for biparietal diameter to detect intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
Area of Science:
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Fetal Development
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) poses significant risks to fetal well-being.
- Accurate assessment of fetal growth is crucial for timely intervention.
- Distinguishing between symmetric and asymmetric IUGR is important for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of serial cephalometry in assessing fetal growth potential.
- To differentiate between symmetric and asymmetric fetal growth restriction.
- To establish monitoring guidelines for fetuses at risk of IUGR.
Main Methods:
- Serial cephalometry measurements, including biparietal diameter (BPD).
- Assessment of BPD percentile and changes over time.
- Evaluation of the head-to-abdomen circumference ratio near term.
Main Results:
- Serial cephalometry effectively defines IUGR risk based on fetal growth potential.
- Biparietal diameters below the 25th percentile or dropping percentiles indicate increased risk.
- The head-to-abdomen circumference ratio is valuable in identifying asymmetric IUGR.
Conclusions:
- Serial cephalometry is a key tool for monitoring fetal growth and identifying IUGR.
- Biophysical and biochemical monitoring should be initiated for fetuses with low or declining BPD percentiles.
- The head-to-abdomen circumference ratio aids in the diagnosis of asymmetric IUGR near term.
Abstract:
Serial cephalometry is useful not only in defining the risk for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in relation to each fetus' growth potential but also in identifying symmetric versus asymmetric undergrown fetuses. It is suggested that all fetuses with biparietal diameters falling below the 25th percentile or dropping to a lower percentile division undergo biophysical and biochemical monitoring for detection of the affected fetus. The value of the head-to-abdomen circumference ratio close to term in delineating asymmetric undergrown fetuses is discussed.