Utilizing sonography to follow fetal growth.
In utero diagnosis of fetal growth abnormalities continues to pose a clinical dilemma. Although significant advances have been made in the understanding of growth disturbances and their clinical importance, false-positive and false-negative diagnoses of IUGR and excessive fetal growth continue to affect the accuracy of antenatal diagnosis. Until more accurate methods are developed to aid in diagnosis, multiple biometric parameters should be assessed in patients either at risk for or with a suspected growth disturbance. Serial measurements obtained every 2 to 3 weeks may enhance diagnostic capabilities. Although antenatal diagnosis of IUGR has been shown to be of benefit in improving outcome, more study is needed to determine whether there is a benefit in antenatal diagnosis of macrosomia or LGA.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
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BA
Campbell
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods