[Fetal abdominal area growth velocity in prediction of fetal and neonatal well-being].

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of new methodology of fetal growth assessment.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One hundred ninety five pregnant women undergoing labor at term were enrolled to the study. Standard deviation scores (Z) of fetal abdominal area (FAA) growth velocity in about one month period in the third trimester and adjusted to the age birthweight Z scores were calculated. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) were constructed for both Z scores in prediction of obstetric outcome.

RESULTS

Areas under the ROC curve for FAA were statistically significantly bigger in prediction of fetal distress (p < 10(-3)) or neonatal acidemia (p < 10(-6)) or depression (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal abdominal area growth velocity measurement is superior to a fetal weight in fetal well-being assessment and may be a simple method of intrauterine growth restriction diagnosis and even definition.