GROWTH-PATTERN OF THE INDIAN FETUS

Objectives: To determine the pattern of intrauterine growth and the ge station at birth of Indian fetuses. Method: One hundred twenty consecu tive women who had reliable menstrual histories, low-risk pregnancies and who were booked for delivery at the Christian Medical College Hosp ital, Vellore, before 20 weeks' gestation were recruited to the study. Ultrasound fetal biometry was carried out at 4-weekly intervals from 20 weeks and at weekly intervals after 36 weeks until delivery. Result s: Growth patterns of fetal biparietal diameter and femur length were comparable to those reported in Western populations. However there was a lag in growth of abdominal circumference (AC) after 28 weeks in com parison with that reported in Western populations. The median gestatio n at delivery following spontaneous labor was 39 weeks. No association was observed between rate of growth of AC and gestation at birth. Con clusion: Slowing of growth of the fetal AC after 28 weeks and a shorte r length of gestation result in the birth of smaller babies in this et hnic group. The implications of these findings are discussed.