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Am J Perinatol 1987; 4(2): 147-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999760
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1987 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Ultrasound in Obstetric Decision Making

How Accurate Are Late Ultrasound Scans in Gestational Age and Fetal Weight Assessment?Valerian A. Catanzarite1 , Bruce I. Rose2
  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Medical Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Gestational age determination based on obstetric dating criteria, early pregnancy ultrasound scans, Dubowitz examinations, and ultrasound scans performed shortly before delivery were reviewed for 69 preterm infants requiring neonatal intensive care. The last ultrasound scans underestimated gestational age by a median of 8 days, and by 2 weeks or more in 20 of the 69 cases, as opposed to best dating criteria. Ultrasonic fetal weight estimation was more accurate, but erred by more than 20% in 10% of cases. When obstetric decisions regarding preterm neonates must be made without prior information regarding gestational age, late ultrasound findings must be applied with extreme care.