title: Routine use of the gravidogram and foetal growth chart in Benin: is there need to customise the gravidogram?
abstract: The Objective of the study is to investigate foetal growth curve amongst the women attending the antenatal clinic of the UBTH and determine if the gravidogram needs to be customised for use in our community. Five hundred and sixty booked antenatal patients with certain last menstrual period dates were recruited for a prospective non-randomised longitudinal study. Serial measurement of the symphysis-fundus at each antenatal clinic visit was taken using a non-stretch tape measure in centimetre. The data collected was analysed for the mean longitudinal growth curve, and for the construction of a centile gravidogram (10th, 50th, 90th percentile) using a computer programmed ready-to use chart. The mothers average height and body mass index was 1.64m +/- 0.06 and 25.9+/-4.24. The mean birth weight was 3.13kg +/- 0.49. The male infants were 46.3% of the total and were slightly heavier (weight boys vs. girls, 3.15 vs. 3.11kg, P=0.467), not fetal growth curve is comparable and draws a parallel with international standard gravidogram, except that our babies grow all through pregnancy. The foetal growth pattern in Benin is comparable to international standard pattern. However, because of infant birth weight and maternal biosocial differences there is need to costomise the gravidogram to identify all at risk babies in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Gharoro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001541:Benin; D001724:Birth Weight; D044383:Black People; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy