Estimation of fetal weight with various methods and its correlation with birth weight

Dr. K Vandana; Dr. Dasharatha Murmu; Dr. G. Lakshmi Seshaveena

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2018

Estimation of fetal weight with various methods and its correlation with birth weight

Dr. K Vandana, Dr. Dasharatha Murmu, Dr. G. Lakshmi Seshaveena

Abstract :

Objective: This study was to estimate the fetal weight in term pregnancy by clinical methods and ultrasound and to compare the results with actual birth weight (ABW).

Material and Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care center, Alluri SitaRamaraju Academy of Medical Sciences. It was a prospective study covering 100 pregnant women at term gestation.

Results: Estimated birth weight by abdominal girth × symphysis fundal height (AG × SFH) formula was closest to the ABW (P = 0.060), as compared to the estimated birth weight by Johnson’s formula (P = 0.000) and Hadlock’s formula (P = 0.000). Therefore, of the three formulae studied, AG × SFH formula had better predictive value as compared to Johnson’s and Hadlock’s formulae. The accuracy of AG × SFH (Insler’s formula) for estimating the fetal weight at term was found to be comparable to Hadlock’s formula (P = 0.104). Conclusion: Clinical estimation of birth weight definitely has a role in the management of labor and delivery. AG × SFH is a simple, easy, cost–effective, and universally applicable method to predict fetal birth weight which can be used even by paramedics like midwives and also in centers where ultrasound is not available.