The clinical value of measurements of the symphysis-fundus distance and ultrasonic measurements of the biparietal diameter in the diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation.

The diagnostic efficiency in the prediction of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) of repeated measurements of the symphysis-fundus (SF) distance and repeated ultrasonic measurements of the biparietal diameter (BPD) was investigated in 377 pregnancies, all at risk for IUGR. Measurements of the SF distance were found to be more effective than ultrasonic BPD measurements for antenatal diagnosis of IUGR. For every correct diagnosis there were three false positive when using SF measurements and ten when using ultrasonic BPD measurements. When the SF method is used, repeated ultrasonic BPD measurements add very little information. The SF curve is a very simple and inexpensive method and should be used as a screening instrument for severe IUGR. When the SF curve is assessed as pathological, ultrasonic measurements also including other fetal dimensions than only BPD are recommended as a way of diagnosing IUGR.