title: Can we predict delivery date with obstetric ultrasound?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The long-term prediction of delivery date with obstetric ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cervical length (CL) and the fetal vertebral, middle cerebral and umbilical resistance indices were measured in 317 pregnancies between 30 and 37 weeks. Subsequently, multivariate analysis was applied to calculate the best model for the prediction of delivery date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The best model included the examinations of the CL and the middle cerebral artery resistance index. In comparison with estimated delivery date (EDD) based on the last menstrual period, a small improvement was detected, particularly in earlier deliveries, however 34% of predictions still had an error of more than 5 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term sonographic prediction of delivery date depends mainly on the CL and improves the prediction of the EDD. However, it is still too inaccurate for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe , Valencia , Spain and.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morales Roselló
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hervás Marín
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perales Marín
mesh_terms: D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging