Establishment of Fetal Biometric Charts Using Quantile Regression Analysis. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daniel-Spiegel, Etty; Weiner, Ehud; Yarom, Ilan; Doveh, Etti; Friedman, Perry; Cohen, Ayala; Shalev, Eliezer
• Is Part Of: Journal of ultrasound in medicine. Volume 32:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: fetal biometry -- microcephaly -- quantile regression analysis -- reference charts -- sonography; Ultrasonics in medicine -- Periodicals; Ultrasonics; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonics in medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2013.32.1.23
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4297

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Fetal growth evaluation is an essential component of pregnancy surveillance. There have been several methods used to construct growth charts. The conventional charts used in current daily practice are based on small numbers and traditional statistical methods. The purpose of this study was to improve fetal biometric charts based on a much larger number of observations with an alternative statistical method: quantile regression analysis. A comparison between the charts is presented. Methods: During the 12 years of study, 17, 708 sonographic examinations of pregnant women from the north of Israel, between 12 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, were performed. Fetal measurements were obtained by several operators using various equipment and included head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. Results: Growth charts were established based on these measurements. Conclusions: In this study, we constructed biometric growth charts using a large cohort of pregnant women. These charts offer the advantages of specific estimated regression parameters for each specified percentile, thus better defining the normal range. We suggest using these new charts in routine daily obstetric practice.