Short-Term Perinatal Outcome among Term Infants with Prenatal Diagnosis of Large Abdominal Circumference

Abstract

Measuring fetal abdominal circumference (AC) prenatally is an effective tool for predicting neonatal weight and macrosomia. Data are lacking regarding the outcome of newborn infants with prenatal diagnosis of large AC. The aim of this study was to evaluate early short-term neonatal outcome among term singleton newborn infants with prenatal diagnosis of large AC. Retrospective data were collected on 501 term infants with prenatal diagnosis of large AC (≥ 360 mm) and on matched controls, including information on maternal condition and on infant perinatal complications. In compare with controls, the study group had higher incidence of macrosomia (188 [37.5%] vs. 18 [3.6%], < 0.001), hypoglycemia (48 (9.6%) vs. 25 [5%], = 0.007), and significant morbidity (49 [9.8%] vs. 28 [5.6%], = 0.017) but without increased incidence of congenital malformations or other perinatal complications. Only among the macrosomic, study subgroup and their controls differences were recorded including hypoglycemia (17.6 vs. 4.8%, < 0.001), need for oral glucose (11.2 vs. 2.7%, = 0.002), significant morbidity (10.1 vs. 3.7%, = 0.024), and hospitalization in special care unit (11.7 vs. 4.3%, = 0.012). Prelabor diagnosis of large AC mostly reflects the infant's high birth weight and macrosomia with the associated perinatal complications. Large AC by itself was not predictive of any congenital malformations or perinatal and postnatal complications.

Polyhydramnios or Excessive Fetal Growth Are Markers for Abnormal Perinatal Outcome in Euglycemic Pregnancies

“…9,10 Likewise while others have found an association between hypoglycemia and a large AC, we found no such correlation nor did we find that neonatal hypoglycemia was associated with any of the ultrasound findings. 21 Infants were found to be larger for delivery in the presence of hypoglycemia with ultrasound findings; however, this did not correlate with hypoglycemia.…”

“…A large AC, however, has been associated with macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, and other perinatal complications. 21–24 After excluding anyone with impaired glycemic control, the risks of a large AC are still demonstrated.…”