Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight

Objective: To describe the derivation, accuracy, and limitations of a new formula for estimating birth-weight using symphysiofundal height measurement in centimetres. Methods: The derivation of the formula was described. The formula was then applied to 2646 consecutive parturients with sure or ultra...

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Main Authors: H E Onah, P O Nkwo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2001-01-01
Series:International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2001;volume=6;issue=1;spage=5;epage=9;aulast=Onah;type=0
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author H E Onah
P O Nkwo
author_facet H E Onah
P O Nkwo
author_sort H E Onah
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To describe the derivation, accuracy, and limitations of a new formula for estimating birth-weight using symphysiofundal height measurement in centimetres. Methods: The derivation of the formula was described. The formula was then applied to 2646 consecutive parturients with sure or ultrasonic dates and no clinical or sonographic evidence of uterine fibroids, polyhydramnios, fetal anomalies or death. The symphysiofundal height was measured with the patient supine, the bladder empty and the uterus relaxed. The accuracy of the method was assessed by the mean simple error, the mean absolute error, the mean simple percentage error, the mean absolute percentage error and the percentage of estimates within ± 10% of the actual birth-weights. Possible factors which may affect the accuracy of the formula were assessed using the Student's t-test at the 95% confidence level. Results: The mean simple error was +44.9 ±377.2g. The mean absolute error was 254.4 ±342g. The simple percentage error [mean ±SD] was 1.7 ±11.6%. The absolute percentage error [mean ±SD] was 7.7 ±8.9%. 76.5% of estimates were within ±10% of the actual birth-weights. There was a slightly significant tendency of the formula to overestimate birth- weights [p=0.05, one-tailed t-test]. The formula was inaccurate in the estimation of the weights of low birth-weight and extreme premature fetuses. Conclusion: The symphysiofundal height [SFH] in centimetres inserted into the formula [SFH]3/ 16 estimates the birth-weight to ±10% of the actual birth-weight in grams in 76.5% of parturients. The limitations of the formula are discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-d8660cdafc22411ca2279f631ee6ccdc2022-12-22T04:14:03ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Medicine and Health Development2635-36952001-01-016159Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-WeightH E OnahP O NkwoObjective: To describe the derivation, accuracy, and limitations of a new formula for estimating birth-weight using symphysiofundal height measurement in centimetres. Methods: The derivation of the formula was described. The formula was then applied to 2646 consecutive parturients with sure or ultrasonic dates and no clinical or sonographic evidence of uterine fibroids, polyhydramnios, fetal anomalies or death. The symphysiofundal height was measured with the patient supine, the bladder empty and the uterus relaxed. The accuracy of the method was assessed by the mean simple error, the mean absolute error, the mean simple percentage error, the mean absolute percentage error and the percentage of estimates within ± 10% of the actual birth-weights. Possible factors which may affect the accuracy of the formula were assessed using the Student's t-test at the 95% confidence level. Results: The mean simple error was +44.9 ±377.2g. The mean absolute error was 254.4 ±342g. The simple percentage error [mean ±SD] was 1.7 ±11.6%. The absolute percentage error [mean ±SD] was 7.7 ±8.9%. 76.5% of estimates were within ±10% of the actual birth-weights. There was a slightly significant tendency of the formula to overestimate birth- weights [p=0.05, one-tailed t-test]. The formula was inaccurate in the estimation of the weights of low birth-weight and extreme premature fetuses. Conclusion: The symphysiofundal height [SFH] in centimetres inserted into the formula [SFH]3/ 16 estimates the birth-weight to ±10% of the actual birth-weight in grams in 76.5% of parturients. The limitations of the formula are discussed.http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2001;volume=6;issue=1;spage=5;epage=9;aulast=Onah;type=0symphysis-fundal heightbirth-weight
spellingShingle H E Onah
P O Nkwo
Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
symphysis-fundal height
birth-weight
title Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
title_full Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
title_fullStr Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
title_full_unstemmed Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
title_short Symphysis-Fundal height measurements in estimating birth-Weight
title_sort symphysis fundal height measurements in estimating birth weight
topic symphysis-fundal height
birth-weight
url http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2001;volume=6;issue=1;spage=5;epage=9;aulast=Onah;type=0
work_keys_str_mv AT heonah symphysisfundalheightmeasurementsinestimatingbirthweight
AT ponkwo symphysisfundalheightmeasurementsinestimatingbirthweight