Correlation of ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight with actual birth weight in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Sonographic fetal weight estimation is an important component of antenatal care. AIM To sonographically estimate fetal weight at term and to compare estimated with actual birth weights to determine the validity of estimated fetal weights. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In the prospective study, a convenience sample of 282 women was recruited. Ethical approval and informed consent of patients were obtained. An experienced sonographer estimated fetal weights by measuring BPD, HC, AC and FL using a scanner with Hadlock 3 weight estimation model. Actual birth weights were measured with a Crown weighing scale by a midwife. Data was analyzed with SPSS software version 17.0 while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret results. Results were tested at error level set at p≤ 0.05. RESULTS Mean estimated and actual birth weights were 3378±40g and 3393±60g respectively. Difference between the two means was not significant. Eleven percent of fetuses were sonographically estimated to be microsomic while 14.5% were microsomic at birth; 12.1% were sonographically estimated to be macrosomic but 15.2% were macrosomic at birth. Most macrosomic fetuses were delivered through cesarean section(CS) and fetal weights increased with maternal age and parity. CONCLUSION Sonographically estimated fetal weight using Hadlock 3 weight estimation model without validation correlated positively with actual birth weight in a Nigerian population.