title: Correlation between intrapartum fundal height and birth weight.
abstract: In a prospective cross-sectional study, the correlation between symphysiofundal height (SFH) and birth weight was evaluated in 2646 consecutive parturients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, over a 19-month period. The standard deviations of the observed birth weight were least when the SFH measured 33-39 cm, which corresponded to the birth weight range 2500-3999 g. The overall standard deviation was 275 g. A second order polynomial fitted the data best, giving the equation y +/- 258.1-62.9x -3.8x2, where y represents the observed birth weight in grams and x the SFH in centimetres. The R2 statistic for the model was 0.82. This and other assessment showed a good model fit. The birth weight centiles for the various SFH measurements were derived and their usefulness discussed. It was concluded that the SFH-derived birth weight centiles are useful alternatives to ultrasonography especially in the birth weight range 2500-3999 g.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. hyacinon@infoweb.abs.net
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Onah
authors.forename: A C C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ikeme
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Nkwo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D016015:Logistic Models; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*