Factors associated with false diagnosis of fetal growth restriction - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to analize and describe some characteristics related to a false diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

METHODS:

We retrospectively included 48 pregnant women referred to our service with a suspected diagnosis of IUGR that was not confirmed after birth and we compared them to another group with confirmed IUGR. We then analyzed the characteristics of the false-positive results. The results of the study were divided into continuous and categorical variables for analysis. The χ²test or Fisher exact test was applied to compare proportions. The level of significance was set at p<0.05 for all tests.

RESULTS:

In our sample, pregnant women with a false diagnosis of IUGR had the following characteristics: they were referred earlier (mean gestational age of 32.8 weeks); were submitted to 2 to 6 ultrasound examinations before been registered in our service; in 25% of cases ultrasound examination was performed before 12 weeks; in 66.7% of cases the symphysis-fundal height measurement was normal; in 52.1% of cases they had at least 1 sonographic exam above the 10^th percentile; on average, the last ultrasound examination (performed on average at 36 weeks) was above the 18^th percentile; the women were submitted to a mean number of 5 ultrasound examinations and to a mean number of 4.6 vitality exams.

CONCLUSION:

The false diagnosis of IUGR involves high hospital costs and higher demand for specialists. The symphysis-fundal height measurement must be valued, and the diagnosis of IUGR must be confirmed with ultrasonography in the last weeks of pregnancy before any obstetric management is taken.