title: The implications of diagnosis of small for gestational age fetuses using European and South Asian growth charts: an outcome-based comparative study.
abstract: The antenatal condition of small for gestational age (SGA) is significantly associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality and it is known that there are significant differences in birth weight and fetal size among different populations. The aim of our study was to assess the impact on outcomes of the diagnosis of SGA according to Bangladeshi and European antenatal growth charts in Sri Lankan population. The estimated fetal weight before delivery was retrospectively reviewed according to Bangladeshi and European growth references. Three groups were identified: Group 1-SGA according to Bangladeshi growth chart; Group 2-SGA according to European growth chart but not having SGA according to Bangladeshi growth chart; Group 3-No SGA according to both charts. There was a difference in prevalence of SGA between Bangladeshi and European growth charts: 12.7% and 51.7%, respectively. There were statistically significant higher rates in emergency cesarean section, fetal distress in labour, and intrauterine death (P < 0.001) in Group 1 compared with Group, 2 and 3. No differences of outcomes occurred between Groups 2 and 3. Our study demonstrated that only cases diagnosed as SGA according to population-based growth charts are at risk of adverse outcome. The use of inappropriate prenatal growth charts might lead to misdiagnosis and potential unnecessary interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4954-4968
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maso
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 00800 Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Mathota A M M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jayawardane
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alberico
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2018-9862
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 00800 Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Hemantha M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Senanayake
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D001459:Bangladesh; D001724:Birth Weight; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D057238:Growth Charts; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D013188:Sri Lanka; D044465:White People