Análisis de la tasa de detección de fetos macrosómicos mediante ecografía

Abstract

Background: Fetal macrosomia is clinically relevant due to its association with a significant increase in maternal-fetal morbidity. Ultrasonography is the gold-standard method to estimate fetal weight and growth assessment. It has a sensitivity of 21.6%, therefore the probability of detecting macrosomia is low for all ultrasonographycs formulas. The error between the estimated and actual weight is 7.5-10%, and in the case of macrosoma it can reach 15%. Objective: To analyze the detection rate of macrosomia fetal by ultrasound examination at our Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain. Methods: This is a retrospective study of cases and controls. We analyzed singleton pregnancies comparing estimated fetal weight with the weight of the newborn. It included 200 cases (inclusion criteria: newborn weight >4000 g) and 100 control (inclusion criteria: newborn weight 3000-4000 g). Results: The incidence of macrosomia was 7.5%. The mean error in estimating fetal weight in the macrosomia group was 577 g, while the mean error in the control group was 206.6 g, the difference mean error was statistically significant (p <0.05). Conclusion: Our results show an error rate for detection of macrosomia of 13.5% (577 g), somewhat lower than those reported in different reviews. We must be cautious in deciding the termination of pregnancy by this cause.