Antenatal detection of small-for-gestational-age babies. Choice of a symphysis-fundus growth curve.
By using symphysis-fundus measurements serially and plotting them on a curve, small-for-gestational-age babies can be detected. To determine which symphysis-fundus curve to choose for our population, the predictive values of three of the commonly used of these growth curves were compared using serial measurements obtained from 97 low-risk obstetric patients with accurate gestational ages. The curves of Calvert and Quaranta had the best sensitivities of 92.9% each compared with Belizan's (85.7%). However, the specificity of Calvert's and Quaranta's curves were poorer being 74.7% and 50.6% compared with 89.2% for Belizan. The positive predictive value for the curves were Belizan 57.1%, Calvert 38.2% and Quaranta 24.1%. The results indicate that for a Third-World urban population Belizan's curve is most suitable.
MRC Perinatal Mortality Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Stellenbosch.
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Pattinson
D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D010387:Pelvimetry / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis