Background: Estimating fetal weight is essential for managing labor, and high-risk pregnancies, including those complicated by diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and previous cesarean sections.
Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of different ultrasound-measured fetal parameters in estimating fetal weight at term pregnancy.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted from August 1, 2023, to August 1, 2024, at South Valley University Hospital's Obstetric Department including 100 pregnant women with term singleton pregnancies confirmed by a reliable last menstrual period or early ultrasound, who delivered within two days of enrollment. The study compared fetal weight estimates from various sonographic formulas (Hadlock and Warsof) with actual birth weights measured on a digital baby scale.
Results: The mean age of participants was 26.66 years, equally split between urban and rural residences. Among the subjects, 29% had vaginal deliveries and 71% had cesarean sections, with 44% male and 56% female fetuses. The average gestational age was 38.08 weeks. The actual fetal weight was 3167.97 grams. Most Hadlock formulas accurately estimated fetal weight, with p-values > 0.05, except the AC/BPD formula, which significantly underestimated the weight (p = 0.0434). For gestational age, most formulas showed no significant differences, but the AC/BPD formula significantly underestimated it (p = 0.0009).
Conclusion: Most Hadlock formulas, particularly those using AC/BPD/FL/HC and AC/FL/HC, accurately estimated fetal weight with no significant differences from actual weights, except for the AC/BPD formula, which showed significant discrepancies and lower reliability.