COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FOETAL WEIGHT ESTIMATION BY VARIOUS METHODS AMONG TERM PREGNANCIES AT RURAL TERTIARY CARE CENTRE, MAHARASHTRA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of foetal weight is important to obstetrician to prevent maternal and perinatal complications with timely interventions. Several methods are available for foetal weight estimation. At a low resource set up simple and cost effective technique may useful. OBJECTIVES: Estimating the foetal weight among term pregnancies by clinical and ultrasonography method and to do the comparative evaluation of the estimated weight with actual birth after delivery. METHODOLOGY: Prospective comparative study was carried out for the period of two years among term pregnant women admitted for planned delivery. The foetal weight was estimated in term pregnancies by various methods. Actual weight of the baby is taken after delivery. Data analyzed using SPSS Software. RESULTS: The mean of Actual birth weight (2593gm), mean estimated foetal weight by SFH X AG (2696gms), Hadlock's (2574gms) and Johnson's (2893gms). The average percentage error was 6%, 12% and 17.5% by Hadlock's, SFH XAG, and Johnson's methods respectively. Underestimation of fetal weight is 20% among normal weight babies by Hadlock's method while 32% and 68%% overweight fetal weight estimation by SFH X AG & Johnson's method respectively. Conclusion: Clinical estimation especially by SFH X AG method is as accurate as routine USG estimated in average birth weight. SFH X AG clinical formula can be of great value in developing countries like ours, where ultrasound is not available at many health care centers especially in a rural area.