Naushaba Malik, Sughra Shahzad, Shoaib Mansoor Malik, Saima Anwar.
Comparison of two different methods for estimation of fetal weight at term.
Rawal Med J Jan ;37(1):38-41.

Objectives: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of clinical and sonographic estimation of fetal weight at term in pregnant ladies. Methods: This validation study was conducted in Social Security Hospital Islamabad during January 2009 to December 2010. All cases coming for deliveries in hospital were included in the study. Pregnant ladies had estimation of fetal weight both clinically and ultrasonically at term and validated by actual birth weight of fetus after delivery. Results: We found that actual birth weight was not significantly less than ultrasonic weight. The mean of ultrasonic weight of fetus calculated was 3028.1g ± 498.60g (p=0.007). After applying paired t test on clinically calculated weight of baby before birth and actual weight of baby after birth, it was found that actual birth weight was also not significantly less than clinically estimated weight. The mean of clinically calculated weight of fetus was 2998.20g ± 525.8g. The t value was – 0.954 and p value was 0.343. Conclusion: Clinical estimation of fetal weight is as accurate as sonographic estimation and also good enough for screening of the birth weight from its high sensitivity and negative predictive value. Thus, it is not necessary to evaluate every pregnant lady for antenatal fetal weight by ultrasound. (Rawal Med J 2012;37:38-41).

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