Single pre-delivery symphysis-fundal height measurement as a predictor of birthweight and multiple pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the value of different pre-delivery maternal indices for predicting birthweight, and to examine the usefulness of a single pre-delivery symphysis-fundal height measurement for the detection of low birthweight and twin pregnancy or macrosomia.


METHODS
Symphysis-fundal height measurements were gathered from 1509 women who had both a singleton delivery and available data of pre-delivery weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference, and from 73 women who had a twin delivery.


METHODS
A district hospital in rural Tanzania.


RESULTS
Symphysis-fundal height, pre-delivery weight and mid-upper arm circumference, respectively, explain 41%, 13% and 4% of the observed variation in birthweight. At a cut-off level of 30 cm for symphysis-fundal height, the detection rate for birthweight below 2500 g and 2000 g was 66% and 68%, respectively, and the false positive rate was 9% and 14%, respectively. At a cut-off level of 38 cm for symphysis-fundal height the detection rate for twin pregnancy or birthweight > or = 4000 g was 76%, and the false positive rate was 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Symphysis-fundal height was a better predictor of birthweight than maternal height, pre-delivery weight or mid-upper arm circumference. It seems justified to investigate the value of a simple tricoloured symphysis-fundal height measuring tape for use in antenatal care in developing countries at village level.
Walraven
G E
GE
Sumve Designated District Hospital, Mwanza Region, Tanzania.
Mkanje
R J
RJ
van Roosmalen
J
J
van Dongen
P W
PW
van Asten
H A
HA
Dolmans
W M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D010387:Pelvimetry / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014427:Twins