Background: Fetal growth restriction is associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity and adverse developmental outcome. However, evidence is lacking on optimal approaches to antenatal screening of fetal size and growth.
Aims: To determine the current policies and practices for assessment of fetal size and monitoring fetal growth with a view to informing future research in this area.
Methods: Web-based survey of Directors of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in maternity hospitals with over 1000 births per annum in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). The survey focussed on the existence and details of guidelines for the clinical assessment of fetal size and growth in low- and high-risk pregnancies, techniques utilised for clinical assessment of fetal size and growth and the use of birthweight charts.
Results: Completed surveys were received from 49 (66%) of the 74 hospitals surveyed. Forty-four percent of hospitals have a fetal growth screening guideline, with abdominal palpation and symphysis fundal height (SFH) measurement the most common screening tools. Seventy-nine percent indicated that obstetric or birthweight charts were in use; 39% were unsure which chart/s were in use, and use differed by region. There was reasonable agreement regarding decision to take action following discrepancies between gestational age and SFH. Sixty-five percent of participants are interested in participating in a randomised controlled trial in this area.
Conclusions: The survey revealed that while there is some agreement with respect to methods used in the clinical assessment of fetal size and growth, there is interest in ANZ hospitals to pursue this area of research further.
© 2011 The Authors. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology © 2011 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.