Accuracy of Dare's formula in estimating fetal birth weight in pregnant women.

Abstract

To evaluate the accuracy of Dare's formula in estimating fetal birth weight in pregnant women. A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi after institutional ethical committee clearance. In all, 175 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies of 37 weeks or more were included. The aim was to assess fetal birth weight by Dare's formula and ultrasonography. This estimated fetal weight (EFW) was compared with actual birth weight (ABW) of newborn. Estimated fetal birth weight by Dare's formula was within 10% of ABW in 77 (44.00%) cases. Meanwhilein the majority(98; 56.00%), EFW by Dare's formula was not within 10% of ABW. The proportion of EFW by ultrasonography within 10% and not within 10% of ABW were comparable (50.29% [88] and 49.71% [87], respectively). Dare's formula can be used by medical personnel as a clinical method in routine prenatal care to estimate fetal weight, for better management of women in labor to decrease the maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.