ABSTRACT
Ultrasonographically determined biparietal diameter, femur length, abdominal circumference, and estimated fetal weight were analyzed with regard to their ability to predict the macrosomic newborn. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted for each of these variables. Estimated fetal weight was superior to biparietal diameter or femur length measurements in the identification of the overgrown fetus. Because of limitations of positive predictive values and sensitivities, application of these observations varies with the clinical setting in which they are used.
Subject(s)
Fetal Macrosomia/diagnosis , Prenatal Diagnosis , Ultrasonography , Abdomen/pathology , Biometry/methods , Birth Weight , Body Weight , Embryonic and Fetal Development , Female , Femur/pathology , Fetal Macrosomia/pathology , Gestational Age , Head/pathology , Humans , PregnancyABSTRACT
Fetal weight in utero was estimated sonographically within one week of delivery in 70 live-born fetuses of diabetic gravidas. The best estimates of weight were obtained with formulas dependent on biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur diaphysis length, and with formulas using the two variables of femur diaphysis length and abdominal circumference. Use of a special formula for the fetus of a diabetic mother was not of additional benefit. Acceptable weight estimates for the macrosomic diabetic fetus were not obtained.