Five-dimensional long bones biometry for estimation of femur length and fetal weight at term compared to two-dimensional ultrasound: a pilot study

Abstract

Background/objective: This study aimed to evaluate accuracy of five-dimensional long bones (5D LB) compared to two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) biometry to predict fetal weight among normal term women.

Methods: Fifty six normal term women were recruited at Ain Shams Maternity Hospital, Egypt from 14 May to 30 November 2015. Fetal weight was estimated by Hadlock's IV formula using 2DUS and 5D LB. Estimated fetal weights (EFW) by 2DUS and 5D LB were compared with actual birth weights (ABW).

Results: Mean femur length (FL) was 7.07 ± 0.73 cm and 6.74 ± 0.67 cm by 2DUS and 5D LB (p = .02). EFW was 3309.86 ± 463.06 g by 2DUS and 3205.46 ± 447.85 g by 5D LB (p = .25). No statistical difference was observed between ABW and EFW by 2DUS (p = .7) or 5D LB (p = .45). Positive correlation was found between EFW by 2DUS, 5D LB, and ABW (r = 0.67 and 0.7; p < .001). There was strong agreement between FL measured by 2DUS and 5D LB (ICC = 0.78), and perfect agreement between EFW by 2DUS and EFW by 5D LB (ICC = 0.918). 2DUS and 5D LB showed mean absolute percentage error for EFW of 10 ± 7% and 8 ± 7% compared to ABW (p = .15).

Conclusions: 2DUS and 5D LB had same accuracy for fetal weight estimation at normal term pregnancy.

Keywords: 2DUS; 5D LB; fetal femur; fetal weight; five-dimensional long bones.