Small for Dates: Evaluation of Different Diagnostic Methods

Abstract

Ninety-four high-risk pregnancies were studied weekly in a prospective and longitudinal study. Uterine height, biparietal diameter (BPD), cranial perimeter (CrP) and abdominal perimeter (AbP) were measured. Amniotic fluid volume (AFV) was assessed. Of the sample selected, 58 neonates were appropriate for gestational age and 36 were small-for-date (17 symmetrical and 19 asymmetrical). The sensitivity values in diagnosis of small-for-dates were: 67% for BPD, 42% for CrP, 94% for AbP, 56% for Uterine Height and 28% for AFV. The specificity for the five variables ranged from about 91% to 100%. If we consider symmetrical and asymmetrical retardation separately, the sensitivity values for the former were: 94%, 77%, 100%, 77% and 24% for BPD, CrP, AbP, Uterine Height and AFV respectively. For symmetrical retardation, the sensitivity values were: 43%, 11%, 90%, 37% and 32% for BPD, CrP, AbP, Uterine Height and AFV respectively. The fetal cranial measurements were the only ones to demonstrate a different pattern of evolution in symmetrical and asymmetrical small-for-dates. This is therefore a useful measurement in making a differential diagnosis between both retardations. The earliest diagnoses were made in the symmetrical small-for-date group.

Detection of Intrauterine Fetal Growth Retardation with Abdominal Circumference and Estimated Fetal Weight Using Cross‐Sectional Growth Curves

“…19 · 25 Our results particularly contrasted with those of Brown I!J and Fescina 20 who described AC sensitivity values of 90(/l, 'to 100(/l with little difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical growth retardation. 20 However, comparisons between studies are difficult since there are so many differences in ultrasound technique, interval between scan and birth, growth curve standards, percentile reference values, definition of growth retardation, and patient sample. Indeed, out data has shown that the performance of AC and EFW in identifying fetal growth retardation is influenced by the intrinsic characteristics of the patient sample.…”

Longitudinal follow-up of 100 patients at risk of intrauterine growth retardation: comparison of diagnosis in two periods

“…The advantage of head and abdominal circumferences over diameters are stated by various authors [1,2,5,8,10,11]. PAPIERNIK has demonstrated the importance of abdominal parameters over head parameters [19].…”

La mesure de la hauteur utérine dans les grossesses uniques et le dépistage des retards de croissance intra-utérins

“…Certains demandent plusieurs mesures successives [13,20,35], ou étudient la dynamique de la courbe ; beaucoup d'équipes disposent d'une courbe de HU dans leur dossier [13,42].…”