ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Fetal growth has geographical and ethnic variations. Fetuses from different parts of the world show also different growth patterns. Using individualized fetal biometry charts increase the detection of fetuses at risk, probably due to a better identification of intrauterine growth restriction; moreover they correlate better with anthropometric parameters than conventional curves. OBJECTIVE: To determine and describe the reference curves of fetal biometric parameters in the population of western Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study, conducted between September 2006 and December 2011 in patients admitted to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit at Civil Hospital of Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca. We included 1,833 patients with single pregnancies without fetal or maternal pathology with established gestational age by the date of the last menstrual period and confirmed by first trimester ultrasound. Percentils 3, 5, 10, 50 and 95 were calculated for every biometric variable. RESULTS: The largest growth rate was seen between 26 to 38 weeks of gestation and a progressive flattening of the growth curve was observed from the 38th week of gestation. CONCLUSION: The percentiles of fetal biometric parameters in the population of western Mexico are lower than those reported in previously published literature.
