J L Engstrom1, B A Work. 1. Department of Maternal Child Nursing, University of Illinois, Chicago 60680.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test the predictive accuracy of five fundal height growth curves in the identification of twin gestations and small-, appropriate-, and large-for-gestational age neonates. DESIGN: Retrospective review of prenatal records. SETTING: Perinatal clinic at a tertiary-care center. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seven medically indigent women. MEASURES: Fundal height measurements were tested against the limits of normal for each week of gestation on five fundal height curves. Neonates were classified as small-, appropriate-, or large-for-gestational age (based on weight for gestational age), except for twin gestations, which were classified as twins. RESULTS: The accuracy of the predictions depended on which curve was used and what criteria were used to classify fundal height measurements as abnormal. Small-for-gestational age neonates (n = 40) were correctly predicted in 27.5-70% of the cases, large-for-gestational age neonates (n = 74) in 36.5-98.6% of the cases, and all four twin gestations. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should test the accuracy of any fundal height curve before using it in practice.
OBJECTIVE: To test the predictive accuracy of five fundal height growth curves in the identification of twin gestations and small-, appropriate-, and large-for-gestational age neonates. DESIGN: Retrospective review of prenatal records. SETTING: Perinatal clinic at a tertiary-care center. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seven medically indigent women. MEASURES: Fundal height measurements were tested against the limits of normal for each week of gestation on five fundal height curves. Neonates were classified as small-, appropriate-, or large-for-gestational age (based on weight for gestational age), except for twin gestations, which were classified as twins. RESULTS: The accuracy of the predictions depended on which curve was used and what criteria were used to classify fundal height measurements as abnormal. Small-for-gestational age neonates (n = 40) were correctly predicted in 27.5-70% of the cases, large-for-gestational age neonates (n = 74) in 36.5-98.6% of the cases, and all four twin gestations. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should test the accuracy of any fundal height curve before using it in practice.
Authors: Lisa J White; Sue J Lee; Kasia Stepniewska; Julie A Simpson; Saw Lu Mu Dwell; Ratree Arunjerdja; Pratap Singhasivanon; Nicholas J White; Francois Nosten; Rose McGready Journal: J R Soc Interface Date: 2011-08-17 Impact factor: 4.118