To improve the accuracy of fetal weight estimation by ultrasound
measurement, especially in low birth weight infants, including those With intrauterine
growth retardation, two new formulas were developed from a new point of view. The
formulas were established by (1 ) actual measurements of the volumes of the neonatal
head and trunk with limbs, (2) analysis of the relationship between the sizes of
the parts of the fetal body measured by ultrasound examination before birth and the
volumes of the parts of the neonatal body, and (3) calculation of the specific gravities
of the parts of the neonatal body. The prospective study showed a high correlation
between estimated weights and actual birth weights with a small range of error in
infants weighing between 450 and 4300 gm.
Keywords Fetal weight estimation, ultrasound, specific gravity,
intrauterine growth retardation
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