TITLE:
Fetal Thigh Circumference versus Fetal Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness in Prediction of Fetal Weight in Term Pregnant Women
AUTHORS:
Mohamed El-Mandooh, Aya Hassan, Sarah Safwat
KEYWORDS:
Fetal Thigh Circumference, Fetal Abdominal Subcutaneous Thickness, Fetal Weight, Term Pregnancy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
22,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Fetal weight estimation
by ultrasound is an important factor in obstetrics; it is directly related to
the gestational age which helps to plan the mode of delivery and labor
management. Objective: to compare between fetal thigh circumference
(TC) and abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness (SCT) in estimating
birthweight in term pregnant women. Patients and Methods: This
prospective cohort study was conducted at outpatient clinic or emergency room, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University
Maternity Hospitals from March 2022 until May 2023. During this study, 100 term pregnant females with gestational age
37 - 40 weeks attended El Demerdash Maternity
Hospital and scheduled for delivery either at outpatient clinic or emergency
room were enrolled, after consenting each of them. Basic
fetal biometry was performed by an expert and professional medical personnel to
ensure the accuracy of examination results. Fetal abdominal subcutaneous
thickness and fetal thigh circumference were measured for assessment of
gestational age and correlated with actual fetal body weight. In the current
study, three formulas; Hadlock, Vintzileos’ and SCT formula were correlated
with actual fetal body weight after birth. Results: The present study
revealed that TC formula is closer to the actual birth weight, followed by
Hadlock formula, while the SCT formula is the furthest from it. Conclusion: To increase the accuracy of
birth estimations, regular ultrasound examinations should include fetal thigh
circumference measurement.