Evaluation of Applicability of Standard Growth Curves to Indian Women by Fetal Biometry

Objective: To verify the applicability of standard fetal growth curves proposed for western populations to an Indian population. Method: Thirty patients were included and ultrasound scans were performed on Indian pregnant women to measure fetal growth parameters of biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length for every weekly interval from 14 to 40 weeks. Twenty-five hundred women had ultrasonic measurements of fetal BPD,HC, AC and FL between 12 to 42 weeks of pregnancy were also included in study for confirming the growth parameters and plotting of Growth curves. The data were compared with the commonly recommended standards of Hadlock, Campbell, Jeanty and Chitty. Results: First and second trimester biometry findings are comparable to western charts but none of the standard charts agreed with the data in the present study particularly in third trimester. Conclusion: Since most parameters of the standard growth curves developed in the west are not applicable for assessing the intrauterine growth of Indian babies we have developed growth curves for the Indian population to prevent over-diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation and correct prediction of fetal age in Indian population.