Fetal size classified using gestational days rather than gestational weeks improves correlation with stillbirth risk: A statewide population study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Many growth charts provide single centile cutoffs for each week of gestation, yet fetuses gain weight throughout the week. We aimed to assess whether using a single centile per week distorts the proportion of infants classified as small and their risk of stillbirth across the week.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Victoria, Australia.

Population

Singleton, non-anomalous infants born from 2005-2015 (529,261).

Methods

We applied growth charts to identify small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses on week-based charts (single centile per gestational week) and day-based charts (centile per gestational day).

Main outcome measures

Proportions <10th centile by each chart, and stillbirth risk amongst SGA infants.

Results

Using week

SUBMITTER: Pritchard NL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9365147 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature