Relative growth estimated from self-administered symphysis fundal measurements.
OBJECTIVE
To establish absolute- and relative-growth reference curves for the detection of intrauterine growth restriction from weekly self-administered symphysis-fundus (SF) measurements and to assess the influence of fetal sex, maternal obesity and parity.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal study.


METHODS
Pregnant women from six primary antenatal care centres.


METHODS
Three hundred women with singleton ultrasound dated pregnancies.


METHODS
Weekly self-administered SF measurements from gestational week 25 until delivery were obtained. A linear mixed longitudinal model was used to estimate the absolute SF growth using the natural logarithm (lnSF). Relative lnSF growth was calculated as the lnSF measurement in one gestational week subtracted by the lnSF measurement in the previous gestational week. The influence of fetal sex, maternal obesity and parity was assessed in regression models and by a graphical display.


METHODS
Absolute lnSF and relative lnSF growth curves and influence of fetal sex, maternal obesity and parity on these.


RESULTS
SF measurements from 191 women were used to establish an SF-growth reference. The absolute lnSF growth was influenced by maternal obesity, and for fetal sex and parity, borderline significance was recorded; while there was no evidence that the relative lnSF growth could depend on these variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly self-administered SF measurements can be obtained and used to estimate SF growth. Relative growth of the lnSF height seems to be independent of fetal sex, maternal obesity and parity.
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. eva.bergman@kbh.uu.se
Eva
E
Bergman
Ove
O
Axelsson
Helle
H
Kieler
Christian
C
Sonesson
Max
M
Petzold
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D010387:Pelvimetry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011631:Pubic Symphysis; D012737:Sex Factors