KUMJ | VOL. 10 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 38 | APR-JUN, 2012
Accuracy of Prediction of Birth Weight by Fetal Ultrasound
Bajracharya J, Shrestha NS, Karki C
Abstract: Background
Accurate determination of fetal weight prior to delivery can have a significant
bearing on the management decision in labour, thereby markedly improving
perinatal outcome.
Objective
To determine the accuracy of prediction of birth weight by fetal ultrasound.
Methods
This is the retrospective observational hospital based study done at Kathmandu
medical college teaching hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu from January 2010 to
February 2012. Total 150 women with full term singleton pregnancy leading to live
birth were included in this study. Prenatal fetal ultrasound database was reviewed
for fetal weight estimation. Delivery records were reviewed for actual birth weight.
Error in estimation was calculated.
Results
Our study showed that fetal ultrasound using Hadlock’s formula has error in
estimation of fetal weight by about 290 gm ± 250 gm. In 40% of the cases, there is
an error of estimation by more than 10% compared to actual weight.
Conclusion
Significant error was seen while estimating fetal weight by ultrasound. Depending
only on the fetal ultrasound for the estimation of fetal weight can lead to unnecessary
obstetrical intervention. It is thus necessary to correlate the ultrasound findings
with clinical examination.
Keyword : fetal weight, Hadlock’s formula, ultrasound
