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Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ha, LC; Craig, A; Grace, MR; Osmundson, SS; Taylor, EW; Zuckerwise, LC
Published in: Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM
July 2021

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis and omphalocele are congenital abdominal wall defects in which the bowel and other abdominal contents extrude from the fetal abdominal cavity. Standard formulas for estimated fetal weight using ultrasound include fetal abdominal circumference measurement and have a range of error of approximately 10%. It is unknown whether the accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment is compromised in fetuses with abdominal wall defects because of the extrusion of abdominal contents. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of standard estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects by comparing prenatal assessment of fetal weight with actual birthweight. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of fetuses diagnosed with gastroschisis or omphalocele was performed at a single center from 2012 to 2018. Fetuses with additional anomalies or confirmed chromosome abnormalities were excluded. Estimated fetal weight was calculated using the Hadlock formula. Published estimates of fetal growth rate were used to establish a projected estimated fetal weight at birth from the final growth ultrasound, and the percent difference between projected estimated fetal weight at birth and actual birthweight was calculated. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to examine the difference between projected estimated fetal weight and actual birthweight. RESULTS: We had complete data for 112 fetuses with abdominal wall defects, including 85 with gastroschisis and 27 with omphalocele. The median (interquartile range) projected estimated fetal weight was similar to median birthweight, at 2283 g (interquartile range, 2000-2810) and 2306 g (interquartile range, 1991-264), respectively, which did not represent a statistically significant difference between projected estimated fetal weight and actual birthweight (P=.32). The median percent error was 6.8 (3.1-12.8). In addition, we did not find any statistical difference between projected estimated fetal weight and actual birthweight in patients with gastroschisis (P=.52) or omphalocele (P=.35) individually. Estimated fetal weight was underestimated in most cases (n=68 [60.7%]). CONCLUSION: In fetuses with abdominal wall defects, standard measurement of fetal weight shows an accuracy that is at least comparable with previously established margins of error for ultrasound assessment of fetal weight. Standard estimated fetal weight assessment remains an appropriate method of estimating fetal weight in these fetuses.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM

DOI

EISSN

2589-9333

Publication Date

July 2021

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

100385

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pregnancy
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Fetus
  • Fetal Weight
  • Female
  • Abdominal Wall
  • 3215 Reproductive medicine
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Ha, L. C., Craig, A., Grace, M. R., Osmundson, S. S., Taylor, E. W., & Zuckerwise, L. C. (2021). Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM, 3(4), 100385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100385
Ha, Laura C., Amanda Craig, Matthew R. Grace, Sarah S. Osmundson, Emily W. Taylor, and Lisa C. Zuckerwise. “Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects.Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 3, no. 4 (July 2021): 100385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100385.
Ha LC, Craig A, Grace MR, Osmundson SS, Taylor EW, Zuckerwise LC. Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2021 Jul;3(4):100385.
Ha, Laura C., et al. “Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects.Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM, vol. 3, no. 4, July 2021, p. 100385. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100385.
Ha LC, Craig A, Grace MR, Osmundson SS, Taylor EW, Zuckerwise LC. Accuracy of estimated fetal weight assessment in fetuses with abdominal wall defects. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2021 Jul;3(4):100385.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM

DOI

EISSN

2589-9333

Publication Date

July 2021

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

100385

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pregnancy
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Fetus
  • Fetal Weight
  • Female
  • Abdominal Wall
  • 3215 Reproductive medicine