Monitoring of fetuses with retarded BPD growth

Abstract

Retarded BPD growth (less than 5th centile) is associated with low birth weight, preterm delivery, and increased perinatal mortality. However, 50% of the fetuses with deviating BPD growth in the 32nd week have normal weight at birth. In this study other biochemical and physical tests were applied to a group of fetuses with deviating BPD growth in order to improve the discriminatory rate between infants subsequently born AGA or SGA. Measurements of the ratio abdomen to head diameter were above the 50th centile in 72% of the infants born AGA and below the 50th centile in 75% of those born SGA. Circumference measurements were less useful in our hands. Urinary oestriol levels were not directly proportional to the intrauterine growth retardation. Recording of fetal breathing movements and nonstressed monitoring of fetal heart rate FHR) had little or no predictive value in the individual case although the incidence of fetal breathing movements was significantly lower in the group with retarded BPD growth.