Antepartum ultrasonographic fetal biometric measurements in the prediction of birth weight

Introduction: Birth weight is one of the most important factors that affect morbidity and mortality in newborn infants. Antepartum ultrasonography is a valuable tool to predict birth weight. The aim the study was to evaluate the accuracy of amnion fluid amount, fetal presentation, fetal ponderal index, maternal body mass index (BMI) and history of systemic illness including diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT), for ultrasonografic measurement of estimated fetal weight. Materials and Methods: The data of 203 patients with diagnosis of labor were retrospectively evaluated. Patients records were examined thoroughly and ultrasonography measurements as well as other medical data (i.e.:BMI, history of DM and HT, birth weights and heights, estimated fetal weights ) were collected. Kruskal- Wallis test and linear regression tests were performed for statistical analysis. The results were considered statistically significant if p value was <0.05. Results: Our study demonstrated that in patients with systemic illness, difference between measurements of estimated fetal weights and birth weights were statistically significant (p<0.05). Moreover, this fallibility was notably greater in patients with DM and/or HT and in breech presentation (p<0.05). As expected, the babies of diabetic mothers had higher ponderal indexes (p<0.05). Fallibility for estimation of birth weights by ultrasonography was increased with increased maternal BMI and ponderal index. Also decreased amount of amniotic fluid caused increase in fallibility for estimation of birth weights (p<0.05). Conclusion: In breech presentation, in patients with systemic disease and increased maternal BMI, also in pregnancies complicated with lower amnion fluid indeks, fallibility for ultrasonographic estimation of birth weights was increased. Therefore, we should take care of for taking adequate, essential precautions for this selected group of patients. Key Words: Estimated Fetal Weight, Antepartum Ultrasonography, Birth Weight, Ponderal Index,