Comparative Study Between Clinical and Sonographic Estimation of Foetal Weight in 3rd Trimester

Author(s): Jasmin Ara Zaman*, Afreen Kabir Kheya, Fathima Sultana, Lizwana Nusrat Lia, Rezwan Sultana

Background: Accurate estimation of foetal weight is of paramount importance in the management of labour and delivery. Both low birth weight and excessive fetal weight at delivery are associated with an increased risk of newton complications during labor and the poerperium. Aim of the study: To compare the estimation of foetal weight by clinical assessment over ultrasonography at three trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital. Dhaka from February 2013 to July 2013 for six (6) months. A total of 100 pregnant women with only singleton pregnancies were included. Pregnant women with polyhydramnios, Antepartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, oligohydramnios, obese and severely ill were omitted. Dare's formula (SFHxAG) was used for clinical methods.

Result: Most babies belonged to the birth weight category 2,500-3,500. The mean (SD) true birth weight was 2961(377) gm, the mean (SD) weight (USG) of the foetal was 2942(395) gm, and the mean (SD) clinical weight of the foetal was 3495(299) gm. Average errors were 534 gm and 248 gm in the clinical and USG methods, respectively. USG EFW correlated better with true foetal weight than the clinical foetal weight.

Conclusion: Foetal weight estimation is more accurate by abdominal ultrasonography than clinical assessment.