Comparative analysis of clinical and sonographic estimation of fetal weight in term pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Determining fetal weight is crucial in effectively managing labor and delivery. It helps make informed decisions about the most suitable delivery method and also aids in identifying conditions such as low birth weight, macrosomia, and intrauterine growth restriction in the fetus. In settings where ultrasound may not be readily available due to limited resources, it becomes essential to assess how accurately fetal weight can be estimated clinically by comparing it to ultrasound measurements and the actual birth weight. This study aimed to assess fetal weight in full-term pregnancies using clinical and ultrasound methods and compare their accuracy while examining their correlation with birth weight. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational and comparative study included 200 women in their full-term pregnancies. The study was conducted from November 2019 to October 2021. In this research, we calculated birth weight estimates using clinical methods (using Johnson’s and Dare’s formulas) and ultrasound (using Hadlock’s procedure). Subsequently, these estimated weights were compared to the actual birth weight data. Results: The findings of this study revealed that Hadlock’s ultrasound formula offered the most precise fetal weight estimates, with Dare’s clinical method following closely. Clinical and ultrasound estimations notably showed a significant positive correlation with birth weight. Conclusion: The ultrasound method is superior in accurately assessing birth weight compared to the clinical approach. Consequently, it is advisable to prioritize ultrasound whenever available and feasible.