Value of fetal ponderal index in predicting growth retardation.

Fetal ponderal indexes were calculated by ultrasound examination and compared with the neonatal ponderal indexes in 113 pregnancies. The relationship between the fetal and neonatal ponderal indexes throughout gestation is described. The fetal ponderal index also was evaluated as a predictor of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and was found to have sensitivity and specificity of 76.9 and 82%, respectively. These data suggest that the fetal ponderal index could be used to rule out the diagnosis of IUGR with reasonable accuracy (negative predictive value 96.4%).