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A standard of fetal growth for the United States of America
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Establishing accurate fetal weight standards in the USA is crucial for monitoring fetal growth. This study provides essential percentile curves for fetal weight across gestation, aiding clinical and public health assessments.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatology
- Fetal Development
Background:
- Accurate interpretation of fetal growth requires reliable standards.
- Existing fetal weight standards are inadequate for the U.S. population.
- Standardized fetal growth assessment is vital for clinical and public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish comprehensive fetal weight standards for the U.S. population.
- To create percentile curves for fetal weight from 8 to 44 menstrual weeks' gestation.
- To develop correction factors for fetal weight based on parity, race, and sex.
Main Methods:
- Calculated 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile fetal weights using data from 430 aborted fetuses (8-20 weeks) and 30,772 liveborn infants (21-44 weeks).
- Derived median fetal crown-rump and crown-heel lengths from 496 aborted fetuses (8-21 weeks).
- Determined fetal weight correction factors for parity, race (socioeconomic status), and fetal sex.
Main Results:
- Developed detailed fetal weight percentile curves for each week of gestation.
- Established normative data for fetal length measurements.
- Quantified the impact of parity, race, and sex on fetal weight.
Conclusions:
- The derived fetal growth curves provide essential standards for interpreting fetal growth in the U.S. population.
- These standards are valuable for clinical practice, public health surveillance, and research.
- Accurate fetal growth monitoring supports improved perinatal outcomes.
Abstract:
The appropriate interpretation of monitored fetal growth throughout pregnancy in individual patients and populations is dependent upon the availability of adequate standards. There is no adequate standard of fetal weight throughout pregnancy that is suitable for patients in the U.S.A. To determine such a standard for infants delivered at about sea level the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of fetal weight for each menstrual week of gestation were calculated from 430 fetuses at 8 to 20 menstrual weeks' gestation aborted with prostaglandins and from 30,772 liveborn infants delivered of patients at 21 to 44 menstrual weeks' gestation. Median fetal crown-to-rump lengths and crown-to-heel lengths were derived from measurements of 496 aborted fetuses of 8 to 21 weeks' gestation. Fetal weight correction factors for parity, race (socioeconomic status), and fetal sex were calculated. The derived fetal growth curves are useful for clinical, public health, and investigational purposes.