Correlation of ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight with actual birth weight in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Cletus Uche Eze, Livinus Chibuzo Abonyi, Jerome Njoku, Udo Okorie, Olayinka Owonifari

Abstract

Background: Sonographic fetal weight estimation is an important component of antenatal care.

Aim: To sonographically estimate fetal weight at term and to compare estimated with actual birth weights to determine the validity of estimated fetal weights.

Subjects and methods: In the prospective study, a convenience sample of 282 women was recruited. Ethical approval and informed consent of patients were obtained. An experienced sonographer estimated fetal weights by measuring BPD, HC, AC and FL using a scanner with Hadlock 3 weight estimation model. Actual birth weights were measured with a Crown weighing scale by a midwife. Data was analyzed with SPSS software version 17.0 while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret results. Results were tested at error level set at p≤ 0.05.

Results: Mean estimated and actual birth weights were 3378±40g and 3393±60g respectively. Difference between the two means was not significant. Eleven percent of fetuses were sonographically estimated to be microsomic while 14.5% were microsomic at birth; 12.1% were sonographically estimated to be macrosomic but 15.2% were macrosomic at birth. Most macrosomic fetuses were delivered through cesarean section(CS) and fetal weights increased with maternal age and parity.

Conclusion: Sonographically estimated fetal weight using Hadlock 3 weight estimation model without validation correlated positively with actual birth weight in a Nigerian population.

Keywords: Estimated fetal weight; actual birth weight; sonography; Nigeria.