Prenatal prediction of small- and large-for-gestational age neonates.
OBJECTIVE
To test the predictive accuracy of five fundal height growth curves in the identification of twin gestations and small-, appropriate-, and large-for-gestational age neonates.


METHODS
Retrospective review of prenatal records.


METHODS
Perinatal clinic at a tertiary-care center.


METHODS
Five hundred seven medically indigent women.


METHODS
Fundal height measurements were tested against the limits of normal for each week of gestation on five fundal height curves. Neonates were classified as small-, appropriate-, or large-for-gestational age (based on weight for gestational age), except for twin gestations, which were classified as twins.


RESULTS
The accuracy of the predictions depended on which curve was used and what criteria were used to classify fundal height measurements as abnormal. Small-for-gestational age neonates (n = 40) were correctly predicted in 27.5-70% of the cases, large-for-gestational age neonates (n = 74) in 36.5-98.6% of the cases, and all four twin gestations.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should test the accuracy of any fundal height curve before using it in practice.
Engstrom
J L
JL
Department of Maternal Child Nursing, University of Illinois, Chicago 60680.
Work
B A
BA
D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010298:Parity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D044469:Racial Groups; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*