Accuracy of ultrasound, clinical and maternal estimates of birth weight in term women

Accurate prenatal estimation of birth weight is useful in the management of labour and delivery. This study compared the accuracy of ultrasound, clinical and maternal estimates of fetal weight in 246 parous women with singleton, term pregnancies admitted for scheduled caesarean section. The sensitivity and specificity of predicting birth weight by ultrasound measures were 12.6% and 92.1%, by clinical palpation were 11.8% and 99.6% and by maternal estimate were 6.3% and 98.0% respectively. Clinicians' estimates of birth weight in term pregnancy were as accurate as routine ultrasound estimation in the week before delivery. Parous women's estimates of birth weight were more accurate than either clinical or ultrasound estimation

[Comparing the accuracy of ultrasonic, clinical and mother, fetal weight estimation in pregnant women in Kerman]

Estimation of fetal weight is very important in preventing delivery complications and also in selecting delivery method. This is specially important in potential macrosomia, IUGR and also preterm labor. The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of ultrasonic, clinical and mothers, fetal weight estimation in pregnant women in Kerman. In this cross sectional study 246 women with singleton, term pregnancies admitted for cesarean section within the following week, were studied. Estimation of fetal weight [EFW] was done using sonography and then by two obstetricians and one senior resident who were unaware of the other clinical and ultrasonic results. Mothers' estimation of their baby weight was also asked. Statistical analysis was done by paired T and Chi square tests. We also used ROC [Radar Operating Characteristics] curve to compare the accuracy of different tests. Fetal birth weight was 3339 +/- 443 gr. In the 2500-4000 gr birth weight the sensitivity of predicting clinical birth weight was 11.8% with 99.6% specificity and for sonographic EFW was 12.6% with 92.1% specificity. Clinical estimation of birth weight in term pregnancy is as accurate as routine ultrasonic estimation obtained in the preceding week of delivery