Effect of maternal obesity on estimation of fetal birth weight using ultrasonography

Abstract

Fetal ultrasound (US) is used to assess fetal anatomy and fetal growth. In overweight or obese women there is additional adipose tissues in the abdomen which degrades image quality. As nearly 7.5% of women of childbearing age have a body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) ≥ 40, it is increasingly important to understand the accuracy of US estimation of fetal weight (EFW) in women with high BMI. We aimed to determine the accuracy of US EFW in women with a BMI ≥ 40.