Comparison of various methods for estimating fetal weight

Comparison of various methods for estimation of foetal weight. OBJECTIVE Accurate foetal weight estimation is important for predicting neonatal morbidity and mortality and for planning obstetric management.This study aimed to investigate the limits of foetal weight estimation by conventional biometric parameters and ultrasonogram and comparism of these methods.METHODSA prospective study involving 396 term pregnant womensingletonadequate liquorcephalic presentation, where estimated foetal weight were calculated using three methods of which two were involving the biometric parameters and one was by ultrasonogram estimation of foetal weight.RESULTSA total of 396 of the 605 women who presented to labor ward with painsterm gestation 186 (47) had estimated foetal weight calculated by DARE'S formula ( SFW AG) - 200 grams ,150 (38) women had estimated foetal weight calculated by ultrasonograms -200 grams and 59 (15) women had estimated foetal weight calculated by JOHNSON formula - 200 grams of post natal foetal weight.CONCLUSIONThis study shows the estimated foetal weight using DARE'S formula seems to be more reliable when compared to other methods.