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Single pre‐delivery symphysis‐fundal height measurement as a predictor of birthweight and multiple pregnancy
Author(s) -
Walraven G. E. L.,
Mkanje R. J. B.,
Roosmalen J.,
Dongen P. W. J.,
Asten H. A. G. H.,
Dolmans W. M. V.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1995.tb11354.x
Subject(s) - symphysis , medicine , obstetrics , pregnancy , birth weight , circumference , pubic symphysis , surgery , mathematics , genetics , geometry , pelvis , biology
Objective To compare the value of different pre‐delivery maternal indices for predicting birth‐weight, and to examine the usefulness of a single pre‐delivery symphysis‐fundal height measurement for the detection of low birthweight and twin pregnancy or macrosomia. Design Symphysis‐fundal height measurements were gathered from 1509 women who had both a singleton delivery and available data of pre‐delivery weight, height and mid‐upper arm circumference, and from 73 women who had a twin delivery. Setting A district hospital in rural Tanzania. Results Symphysis‐fundal height, pre‐delivery weight and mid‐upper arm circumference, respectively, explain 41%, 13% and 4% of the observed variation in birthweight. At a cut‐off level of 30 cm for symphysis‐fundal height, the detection rate for birthweight below 2500 g and 2000 g was 66% and 68%, respectively, and the false positive rate was 9% and 14%, respectively. At a cut‐off level of 38 cm for symphysis‐fundal height the detection rate for twin pregnancy or birthweight > 4000 g was 76%, and the false positive rate was 4%. Conclusion Symphysis‐fundal height was a better predictor of birthweight than maternal height, pre‐delivery weight or mid‐upper arm circumference. It seems justified to investigate the value of a simple tricoloured symphysis‐fundal height measuring tape for use in antenatal care in developing countries at village level.