Ultrasonic detection of intrauterine growth retardation [IUGR]

ABSTRACT

To test the reliability of ultasound measurements in the detection of IUGR, 86 high risk pregnancies and 41 normal controls were followed by sonar biparietal diameter, head circumference [HC] abdominal circumference [AC], femur length [FL], HC/AC ratio, FL/ACratio, amniotic fluid volume measurements and estimated fetal weights [EFW] were obtained within 10 days of delivery. The effectiveness of each ultrasound variable in the antenatal recognition of IUGR fetuses was assessed. AC was the most sensitive parameter [91.9%] followed by EFW [80.6%], however the positive predictive values were disappointing [28.5% and 36.1% respectively]. Other measurements were less accurate. In cases with chronic nephritis the growth pattern differed and the most sensitive parameter was the HC [60%]. This study establishes the limits of ultrasound derived growth variables in the antenatal identification of IUGR fetus