title: A search for the most accurate formula for sonographic weight estimation by fetal sex - a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fetal sex on the accuracy of multiple formulas for sonographic estimation fetal weight (SEFW).
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort included all singleton live births recorded at a single medical center from January 2004 to September 2011. The accuracy of SEFW was compared between male and female fetuses using 6575 SEFW performed within 3 days prior to delivery. Fetal weight was estimated using 27 models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The accuracy of different formulas in predicting birth weight of male and female fetuses was found to be significantly different in almost every accuracy index that was compared (P < 0.05). The model by Sabbagha et al. was found to be the most accurate in assessing female fetuses. The most accurate model for male fetuses was a sex-specific formula by Melamed et al. We also found that a combination of the most accurate formula for each sex to one combined sex-specific model increased SEFW accuracy significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accuracy of SEFW is significantly related to fetal sex. The combination of the formulas by Melamed et al. and Sabbagha et al. for male and female fetuses accordingly allowed more accurate SEFW in our research population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Barel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maymon
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Barak
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smorgick
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tovbin
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vaknin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020567:Fetal Weight; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult