A combined historic and sonographic score for the detection of intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

Sonographic analysis of fetal biometry has been useful in the antepartum detection of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Little attention, however, has been focused upon elements of the maternal and fetal history that may significantly affect the likelihood of IUGR. To define more precisely both the clinical and sonographic parameters associated with IUGR, we studied the following variables: routine fetal biometry (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length), fetal weight percentile, amniotic fluid volume, and an antenatal scoring system for IUGR. One hundred one consecutive fetuses with an estimated fetal weight at or below the tenth percentile for gestational age formed the study population. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that weight percentile was the single most important sonographic parameter in the detection of IUGR. Maternal history and femur length were also found to be important independent predictors of IUGR.