[Prevention of shoulder dystocia by an ultrasound selection at the beginning of labour of foetuses with large abdominal circumference].

OBJECTIVE

Prevent shoulder dystocia occuring with macrosomic foetuses, by an ultrasound screening, at the beginning of labour, made by a member of obstetrics staff.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective study in the maternity hospital, la Mère et l'Enfant of University Teaching Hospital, Besançon, about 170 patients. We have measured only one parameter: the foetal abdominal circumference (AC).

RESULTS

An AC>or=350 mm had a sensitivity of 100% to detect newborns of birth weight>or=4250 g.

CONCLUSION

An AC>or=350 mm measured during labour by a member of obstetrics staff allow to alert and to make the staff sensitive to a risk of macrosomia and shoulder dystocia.