fetal growth Flashcards
when is fetal growth assessed
after 24 weeks of gestation
what are the two clinical examination medthods used in assessing fetal growth
- Abdominal palpation of fundal height
- Symphysis-fundal height measurement using a measuring tape
US
at 12 36-38 40 weeks what is the position of the fundus
12 weeks - fundus just above pubic bone
36-38 weeks - fundus usually right up under sternum
40 weeks - fundus drops below 38 week level as presenting part drops down into pelvis
how is fetal growth assessed in US
- Head circumference (and Biparietal diameter)
- Abdominal Circumference
- Femur length
what does small for dates or large dates imply
describe the position of fetal measurements on a gestational population centile chart.
define small for dates/SGA
describes anthropometric variables below the 10th population centile for gestational age
define large for dates/LGA
describes anthropometric variables above the 95th population centile for gestational age
causes for SGA
intrauterine hypoxia, acidaemia, prematurity (often iatrogenic) and neonatal complications
placental insufficiency include low pre-pregnancy weight, substance abuse, autoimmune disease, renal disease, diabetes and chronic hypertension.
what is a growth restricted fetus
A growth restricted fetus is one that has failed to reach its genetic growth potential
RFs for FGR
age
high or low BMI
Previous FGR
Hypertension
Smoking
Alcohol
Substance abuse
Recurrent fetal loss
Previous unexplained SB
Haemoglobinopathies
Domestic Violence
Raised AFP
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Prescription and OTC Drugs
Infection
Collagen vascular disease
High altitude
Placental pathology (praevia, cirumvallata
Renal disease
If a small baby is referred what do u do
- Is the fetus really small (confirm diagnosis)
- Why is the fetus small (establish cause)
- How to monitor pregnancy with a small fetus (make management plan)
- Timing and mode of delivery (weigh up risks and benefits)
how to diagnose small baby
measure using US scan
what is
Normal small Abnormal small Infected small Starved small Wrong small
Normal Small
Constitutionally small, healthy baby
Abnormal Small
Chromosomal abnormalities, syndromes, congenital malformations
Infected Small
Infection during pregnancy (commonly CMV)
Starved Small ‘Placental FGR’ - placental growth restricted due to - poor placentation - smoking - maternal disease affecting placenta - multiple pregnancy etc
Wrong Small
Incorrect Dates or measurements
what does Adequate trans-placental transfer depends on
- Uteroplacental blood flow (from the uterine artery to the placenta
- Villous structure at the interface of maternal and fetal blood
- Fetoplacental blood flow (from the umbilical arteries to the placenta
how to measure successful trophoblast invasion
assessed with a uterine artery Doppler
at 20 weeks gestation
what additional sonographic measures will help differentiate SFD from FGR
- Centile position
- Symmetry
- Liquor volume
- UMA Doppler
- Growth velocity