ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS OF LARGE-FOR-DATES INFANT

Abstract

Data on consecutive measurement of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) and fetal chest area in 42 normal weight infants (birthweight 10-90th percentile) and 30 large-for-dates (birthweight above the 90th percentile) are presented. Pregnancy duration varied form 32-40 wk. In the normal weight group fetal BPD and chest area were above the 95th percentile of the normal curve in 7% and 5% of the cases; in the large-for-dates group the figures were 7% and 47%. Head to chest ratio fell below the 5th percentile of the normal curve in 53% of the large-for-dates against only 2% of the normal weight infants. In the detection of the large-for-dates infant ultrasonic measurement of fetal chest area appears to be superior to ultrasonic measurement of fetal BPD.