Related Experiment Videos
Intrauterine growth curves based on ultrasonically estimated foetal weights
K Marsál1, P H Persson, T Larsen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lund, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Insights
New intrauterine growth curves accurately assess fetal growth, especially for preterm infants. These curves better identify small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses and neonates, improving perinatal care.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Neonatology
Background:
- Standard intrauterine growth curves often underestimate fetal growth in preterm infants.
- Accurate fetal growth assessment is crucial for optimal perinatal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate new intrauterine growth curves using ultrasonically estimated fetal weights.
- To improve the identification of small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses and neonates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 759 ultrasonically estimated fetal weights in 86 uncomplicated Scandinavian pregnancies.
- Developed new growth curves with a uniform standard deviation (SD) of 12% of mean weight.
- Applied the new curves to a large cohort of 8663 singleton births for validation.
Main Results:
- The new curves provide a more accurate distribution of SGA fetuses and neonates compared to existing standards.
- Prevalence of SGA varied significantly by gestational age: 32% before 210 days, 11.1% between 210-258 days, and 2.6% after 259 days.
- Mean fetal weight for boys exceeded that of girls by 2-3%.
Conclusions:
- The developed intrauterine growth curves offer a superior tool for assessing fetal growth, particularly in preterm infants.
- These new curves are recommended for routine use in perinatological practice to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
- Improved identification of SGA fetuses and neonates can lead to timely interventions and better neonatal care.
Abstract:
Available standard intrauterine growth curves based on birthweights underestimate foetal growth in preterm period. New growth curves are presented based on data from four Scandinavian centres for 759 ultrasonically estimated foetal weights in 86 uncomplicated pregnancies. Mean weight of boys exceeded that of girls by 2-3%. A uniform SD value of 12% of the mean weight was adopted for the standard curves as the true SD varied non-systematically between 9.1 and 12.4%. Applied to an unselected population of 8663 singleton births, before 210 days of gestation, 32% of birthweights were classified as small-for-gestational age (SGA; i.e. below mean - 2 SD); the corresponding figures were 11.1% for gestational ages between 210 and 258 days, and 2.6% for ages of 259 days or longer. The new growth curves reveal better the true distribution of SGA foetuses and neonates, and are suggested for use in perinatological practice.