Ultrasound Tracking of Fetal Growth Characteristics during the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and the Prediction of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Abstract

Background Fetal growth is the outcome of complex interactions between genes and the environment. A human being undergoes a synchronized balance of growth and development of body proportions throughout the prenatal and postnatal phases. Fetal growth is affected by many factors including maternal sociodemographic, maternal lifestyle-related characteristics, and pathological conditions, such as infections and some genetic conditions. Objective To assess the role of 3rd trimester ultrasound and fetal growth measurements in the prediction of adverse birth outcomes. Patients and Methods This study was a prospective cohort study of 141 pregnant females, conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Results HC, AC, Expected fetal weight, HC percentile and weight percentile were significantly higher in normal cases than still birth, preterm, neonatal death and SGA, and lower than fetal macrosomia. AC percentile was significantly higher in normal cases than preterm, neonatal death and SGA, and lower than fetal macrosomia. Conclusion Fetal biometric and Doppler measurements during the third trimester of pregnancy play an important role in early detection of adverse growth outcomes in order to initiate further monitoring, planning and managing of delivery.