Maternal Estimates of Neonatal Birth Weight in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

No consensus exists on estimation of birth weight or prediction of fetal macrosomia in the diabetic population. We compared intrapartum clinical, maternal, and ultrasonographic estimates of birth weight in diabetic patients. Diabetic patients at term had clinical, maternal, and ultrasonographic estimations of fetal weight. The mean absolute error, standardized error, and percentage of estimates within 10% of actual birth weight were determined for the three estimates. Effects of maternal weight, parity, and recent ultrasonography were assessed, and statistical analysis was done. With 32 women enrolled, no statistical difference was seen among clinical (11%), maternal (8.8%), and ultrasonographic (8.0%) birth weight estimates. No difference was seen in accuracy of the three estimates. Estimates were within 10% of actual birth weight in 69% of clinical and maternal estimations and 75% of ultrasonographic estimations. Maternal weight, parity, and recent ultrasonographic evaluation did not affect accuracy of predictions. Intrapartum maternal estimation of fetal weight in diabetic patients is as accurate as clinical and ultrasonographic predictions.