Accuracy of prediction of gestational age by ultrasound measurement of biparietal diameter in Nigerian women

Abstract

The accuracy of assessment of gestational age by ultrasound measurement of biparietal diameter (BPD) was evaluated in 84 Nigerian women. Ultrasound and menstrual delivery dates were compared in these women who had no complications of pregnancy and delivered infants whose birthweights were appropriate for 40 weeks. The results showed that ultrasound dating was more accurate than menstrual dating as evident from the number of women who delivered on and within 1 or 2 weeks of predicted delivery dates. It is concluded that (1) our locally produced BPD normogram is as accurate as those from elsewhere and (2) the normogram is recommended for use in Nigerian women for accurate pregnancy dating.