Fetal biometry between 20-42 weeks of gestation for Polish population.
OBJECTIVE
Ultrasound estimating of fetal weight is one of the most frequent examinations during pregnancy. Hitherto, foreign fetometry curves have mostly been used in Poland as there are no national available reference charts that are based on ultrasound fetal biometry. The aim of the present study was to construct new charts based on ultrasound fetometry reference for Polish population.


METHODS
A group of 959 healthy volunteers with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy joined in a cross-sectional study. The study was designed prospectively to evaluate normal reference charts for fetal ultrasound measurements and estimated fetal weight. Four biometric parameters were studied: biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated using Hadlock et al. formula from 1985.


RESULTS
In the course of normal pregnancy an acceleration of growth rate was seen, but with a slight decline at the end of pregnancy. Reference curves for mean, 90th and 95th percentile were constructed for BPD, HC, AC and FL. Estimated fetal weight curves were outlined for both boys and girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Reference charts for Polish population are similar to foreign curves. Less variation was seen in comparison with national charts based on postnatal weight. Ultrasound method seems to be better than birthweight curves especially in preterm pregnancies. This will improve the diagnosis of a small for gestational age newborn.
Dubiel
Mariusz
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland. dubiel@sylaba.poznan.pl
Krajewski
Maciej
M
Pietryga
Marek
M
Tretyn
Andrzej
A
Breborowicz
Grzegorz
G
Lindquist
Pelle
P
Gudmundsson
Saemundur
S
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D000328:Adult; D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D020567:Fetal Weight / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data