Evaluation of ultrasound accuracy in estimating birth weight in a hospital in Peru

Jaimes Gamboa M.D.; Jaimes Melgarejo R.; Taype Rondan A. · Revista Peruana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia (2025) · DOI: 10.31403/rpgo.v71i2800

Resumen

Introduction: It is important to assess the accuracy of ultrasounds in developing countries like Peru, where many pregnant women face difficulties in accessing prenatal care and ultrasounds, especially in rural areas. Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of fetal weight estimation by ultrasound at a Maternal and Child Hospital in Huánuco (Peru) and explore factors associated with the error in such estimation. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study, with a population composed of pregnant women whose deliveries were attended at the hospital from August to December 2019. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA v16. Results: 69 participants meeting the selection criteria were included. 56,6% had secondary education. The average BMI was 30.7 kg/m2. The average gestational age of fetuses was 37,6 ± 1,4 weeks, with an estimated average weight of 3251,6 ± 405,9 grams. The percentage difference between the weight estimated by ultrasound and the birth weight in this study was 5,2%. No significant associations were found between the error in estimated weight by ultrasound > 5%, and factors such as education level, BMI, prenatal care, amniotic fluid index, interval between ultrasound and delivery, and type of delivery. Conclusion: The percentage error between the weight estimated by ultrasound and the actual birth weight was deemed acceptable. No significant association was found between this error and maternal or ultrasound-related factors. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola