Fetal growth in Peru: comparisons with international fetal size charts and implications for fetal growth assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To compare fetal biometry measurements obtained in a Peruvian population with reference fetal size charts obtained in Peruvian and non-Peruvian populations.


METHODS
Fetal biometry measurements collected prospectively in 195 uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the presented analysis. At 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 38 weeks' gestation, fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur diaphysis length were measured. Fetal biometry measurements were compared with fetal size charts obtained from another Peruvian and two non-Peruvian populations from North America and Europe.


RESULTS
When compared with ultrasound-based reference fetal size charts obtained from North American and European populations, fetuses from the studied population appeared to grow more slowly with advancing gestational age. This trend was not observed when a Peruvian population, similar to the one studied here, was used as a reference.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that fetal growth in this Peruvian population may not be adequately assessed by using reference charts obtained from other populations and have implications for the use of growth standards in antenatal management.
Merialdi
M
M
Center for Human Nutrition, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Caulfield
L E
LE
Zavaleta
N
N
Figueroa
A
A
Costigan
K A
KA
Dominici
F
F
Dipietro
J A
JA
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D002508:Cephalometry; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal