management

Last reviewed 01/2018

Clinical determination of foetal growth is inaccurate. If there is a suspicion that a baby is small-for-dates then an ultrasound growth scan should be performed.

If growth is retarded then serial scans should be performed at fortnightly intervals. The biparietal diameter and abdominal circumference (between the liver and the kidneys) should be measured and plotted.

Abdominal circumference is correlated with foetal weight; this information is important in deciding when to deliver the baby.

Poor biophysical profile scores in a growth retarded foetus are an indication for early delivery.