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. 1994 Jan;101(1):29-34.
doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1994.tb13006.x.

Charts of fetal size: 1. Methodology

D G Altman  1 , L S Chitty
Affiliations

Charts of fetal size: 1. Methodology

D G Altman et al. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: To discuss the features of study design and analysis which are necessary to derive valid reference centiles for fetal size. To describe a study which meets the stated criteria.

Design: Prospective study of 663 fetuses.

Results: The selection of the sample and adequate sample size are of great importance. Prospective collection of data specifically for the purpose of deriving centiles is recommended. It is essential to use statistical methods that take proper account of the increasing variation among fetuses as pregnancy proceeds; such methods are described and illustrated. A study is described which meets the stated criteria for design and analysis, and from which new fetal size centile charts have been derived and are presented in subsequent papers.

Conclusions: Many published studies containing charts (standards) of fetal size are methodologically flawed. Research design and statistical analysis must adhere to sound principles for fitted centiles of size to be valid and so clinically relevant.

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Comment in

  • Charts of fetal size.
    Hutchon JR. Hutchon JR. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994 Oct;101(10):923; author reply 924. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1994.tb13561.x. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994. PMID: 7999700 No abstract available.
  • Charts of fetal size.
    Wyldes MP. Wyldes MP. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994 Oct;101(10):923; author reply 924. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1994.tb13560.x. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994. PMID: 7999701 No abstract available.
  • Charts of fetal size.
    Spencer JA, Gallivan S, Robson SC. Spencer JA, et al. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994 Oct;101(10):923-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1994.tb13562.x. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994. PMID: 7999702 No abstract available.
  • The creation of twin centile curves for size.
    Ong S, Lim MN, Fitzmaurice A, Campbell D, Smith AP, Smith N. Ong S, et al. BJOG. 2002 Jul;109(7):753-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01361.x. BJOG. 2002. PMID: 12135210

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