Prediction of Birth Weight by Fetal Thigh Volume with Use of Three-Dimentional Ultrasonography.

Lee, Kyung Hwa; Choi, In Yul; Huh, Jung Gi; Yoon, Byung Chul; Mun, Tae Sik

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002;45(2):268-272.
Published online February 1, 2002.

Prediction of Birth Weight by Fetal Thigh Volume with Use of Three-Dimentional Ultrasonography.

Kyung Hwa Lee, In Yul Choi, Jung Gi Huh, Byung Chul Yoon, Tae Sik Mun

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan Adventist Hospital, Pusan, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the accuracy of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound-assessed fetal thigh volumetry in predicting birth weight with that of other commonly used formulas composed of biparietal dimeter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) by two-dimentional (2-D) ultrasonography. METHODS: From May 1999 to February 2000 we performed a prospective study of ultrasonography on 100 pregnant women. We assessed the thigh volume of 100 fetuses using 3-D ultrasonography. Meanwhile their BPD, AC, and FL were measured by 2-D ultrasonography. All infants were delivered within 48 hours after the ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: The thigh volume assessed by 3-D ultrasonography was highly correlated with birth weight (r=0.414, n=100, p<0.0001). The 3-D formula had small mean values of absolute mean error (gm) (64.26), absolute mean error (%) (10.20+/-0.80). As well, the 2-D formulas had similar mean values. However, no significant differences in predicting birth weight were found between 3-D formula and 2-D formulas. CONCLUSION: The 3-D ultrasound method assessed by thigh volume showed better accuracy in predicting birth weight than 2-D methed. Further studies may be needed to confirm our conclusions.

Key Words: Three-Dimentional ultrasonography, Birth weight