Customized fetal weight limits for antenatal detection of fetal growth restriction

Objective To define cut‐off limits for individually adjustable fetal weight standards for the detection of intrauterine growth restriction. Design Retrospective study, with the outcome measures small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) birth weight, operative delivery for fetal distress, umbilical artery pH < 7.15, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Subjects and Methods Two hundred and fifteen women considered to be at increased risk of uteroplacental insufficiency were recruited to a study of serial ultrasound scans. Fetal weights were derived using standard formulae and, retrospectively, weight percentiles were calculated after individual adjustment for maternal height, weight in early pregnancy, ethnic group, parity and fetal sex. Introduction One or more antenatal scans indicative of fetal weight below the 10th customized percentile were predictive for a SGA neonate at birth (P