ESTIMATION OF FETAL WEIGHT BY CLINICAL METHODS AND ULTRASOUND AND CORRELATING ITS ACCURACY WITH ACTUAL BIRTH WEIGHT IN TERM PREGNANCIES AT ANMMCH, GAYA, BIHAR

Abstract

Objective:This study was to estimate the fetal weight in term pregnancy by clinical methods and ultrasound and to compare the results with actual birth weight (ABW). Material and Methods:This study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, Bihar from December 2019 to May 2020. It was a prospective study covering 200 pregnant women at term gestation. Results: Estimated birth weight by abdominal girth × symphysis fundal height (AG × SFH) formula was closest to the ABW (P = 0.060), as compared to the estimated birth weight by Johnson's formula (P = 0.000) and Hadlock's formula (P = 0.000). Therefore, of the three formulae studied, AG × SFH formula had better predictive value as compared to Johnson's and Hadlock's formulae. The accuracy of AG × SFH (Insler's formula) for estimating the fetal weight at term was found to be comparable to Hadlock's formula (P= 0.104). Conclusion: Clinical estimation of birth weight denitely has a role in the management of labor and delivery. AG × SFH is a simple, easy, costeffective, and universally applicable method to predict fetal birth weight which can be used even by paramedics like midwives and also in centers where ultrasound is not available.