European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Accurate estimation of fetal weight is vital in the management of labor. Categorization of fetus into small or large for gestational age can lead to timed obstetric intervention. There are 2 common methods of estimation of fetal weight (EFW) sonographic evaluation and clinical method. In developing countries, ultrasonography most of the time unavailable or may not be affordable by patients. The accuracy of fetal weight estimation using symphysio-fundal height multiplied abdominal circumference at the umbilical level was moderate in all different BMI groups. The prediction was the highest in normal pre-pregnancy BMI.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at department of OBGYN, Teaching Hospital, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri, for the period from May-2019 to October-2019. Institutional Ethical committee has approved the study.
Objectives: To estimate the fetal weight in antenatal period by symphysio-fundal height and abdominal girth measurement and to compare with the actual birth weight of the baby after birth. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women of any parity of ≥34 weeks with singleton, cephalic presentation either not in labour or in early labour with intact membranes. The exclusion criteria were Pregnant women having obesity, multiple gestation, malpresentation, oligohydromnios & polyhydromnios, intrauterine fetal demise and diagnosed cases of uterine fibroids and abdominal masses are excluded from the study. Hospital based convenient sampling method is followed.
Results: Statistical tests (Correlation) were done between estimated fetal weight (EFW) and actual birth weight (BW). It was found that there was a positive correlation present between estimated fetal weight (EFW) and actual birth weight (BW) with a Pearson coefficient of 0.205 and with the p-value of 0.041 which is significant.