title: A prospective pilot study in assessing the accuracy of ultrasound estimated fetal weight prior to delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perinatal mortality and morbidity related to growth restriction and macrosomia are predicted by birthweight. Estimated fetal weight is a surrogate measure for neonatal weight, and accurate measurement of this is central to providing counselling and managing preterm birth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the accuracy of estimated fetal weight (EFW) measured by two sonographers within 1 week of delivery using Hadlock formula.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two sonographers independently scanned 150 women with singleton pregnancies, who were booked for elective delivery. The sonographers measured four biometric measurements in estimating fetal weight. The accuracy of EFW compared to the birthweight was examined. We also assessed the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) according to the EFW.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estimated fetal weight was similar to actual birthweight, with a mean percentage difference (SD) of 1.4(7.0) (P = 0.44). The reliability coefficient of EFW compared to actual birthweight was 0.97 (95% CI (0.96, 0.98)). There was no significant difference between the sonographers for EFWs and among the sonographers from the ultrasound scan to delivery interval. The sensitivity and specificity for detection of SGA and LGA were 93.3% and 99.3%, 60% and 95.6%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is high reproducibility with minimum discrepancy from actual birthweight among sonographers 1 week prior to delivery using Hadlock formula with better prediction of SGA neonates.
authors: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Renuka
authors: R
authors: Sekar
authors: QIMR Berghofer, Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Mohsina
authors: M
authors: Khatun
authors: Internal Medicine, Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Helen L
authors: HL
authors: Barrett
authors: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Duncombe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020567:Fetal Weight; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: accuracy prior to delivery; estimated fetal weight; interobserver reliability