Accuracy of intra-partum prediction of birth weight using maternal anthropometric parameters

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at predicting foetal birth weight using various clinical methods and to determine which of the methods is the most accurate in this population. Subjects and methods: Parturients of all parities admitted into the labour ward of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife at term for delivery were recruited for this study. They had their symphysiofundal height, abdominal circumference at the umbilical level, height and weight measured. The body mass index was then calculated. The birth weight was calculated from these measurements using four clinical formulae. The weights of the babies were measured after delivery and compared with the individual estimated birth weights. Results: There were 400 women who met the inclusion criteria during the time of this study. Three of the methods [Johnson′s Rule, Ojwang′s Rule and 5% maternal weight] overestimated the birth weight while 10% BMI underestimated the birth weight significantly. Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between the birth weights predicted by the various clinical methods and the actual birth weight. The accuracy of the methods can be improved by using the derived modified formulae.