Morphometry of fetal growth.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) complicates about 5% of all pregnancies and is responsible for substantial perinatal mortality and morbidity. With ultrasound, it is possible to assess fetal brain growth indirectly by measurement of the biparietal diameter, head circumference and transcerebellar diameter. As liver size is affected most profoundly by IUGR, measurement of the abdominal circumference of the fetus provides the earliest evidence of fetal growth restriction. Placental size, assessed with ultrasound, can also indicate the severity of the condition. Once a fetus is diagnosed as having IUGR, its well-being can be monitored with standard heart-rate testing and ultrasound assessment of fetal behaviour. Doppler analysis of the wave form of the fetal arterial and venous circulation hold the greatest promise for managing pregnancies complicated by IUGR.