DIAGNOSTIC VALIDITY OF GESTATIONAL AGE INDEPENDENT MORPHOMETRIC INDICES IN ASYMMETRIC FOETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION â€“ A STUDY AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA.

Farheen Naaz; Mohammed Ismail Khan

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2017

DIAGNOSTIC VALIDITY OF GESTATIONAL AGE INDEPENDENT MORPHOMETRIC INDICES IN ASYMMETRIC FOETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION â€“ A STUDY AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA.

Farheen Naaz, Mohammed Ismail Khan

Abstract :

Background: Foetal Growth Restriction(FGR) is an undesirable obstetric diagnosis in view of the dire consequences that it poses to the foetus and neonate. Early diagnosis is essential to plan appropriate surveillance methods and implement obstetric protocols. This raises a need for an index which has high diagnostic validity and accuracy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a prospective observational study on 125 antenatal cases in the third trimester of pregnancy. Weekly foetal biometric scans were performed. After birth the diagnosis was made by calculating the ponderal index and birth weight centile. Diagnostic validity and accuracy were then calculated. Results: TCD/AC appeared as the best index and FL/AC emerged as the index with least accuracy. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of TCD/AD were 83.13%, 90.48 %, 94.52% and 73.08 % respectively compared to 67.47%, 73.81 %, 83.58%, 53.45 % respectively for FL/AC. A difference of 4.82% in sensitivity, 7.14% in specificity, 4.35% in PPV and 6.81% in NPV was noted between HC/AC and BPD/AC, with a higher validity favoring HC/AC. Conclusions: TCD/AC appears to be a gestational age independent index with relatively higher sensitivity and specificity. A higher accuracy in the diagnosis of FGR could help improve pregnancy outcomes.