Longitudinal fetal biometry of normal pregnant Melanesian Papua New Guineans to construct standards of reference for Papua New Guinea.

In a longitudinal study at the Port Moresby General Hospital Antenatal Clinic between May 1990 and December 1991, 1514 biparietal diameter (BPD), 1294 femur length (FL) and 1229 abdominal circumference (AC) measurements were made on 425 fetuses during normal pregnancy. Weekly mean values with 2 standard deviations were calculated for BPD, FL and AC between 12 and 42 weeks. Growth curves were also constructed. Ethnic origin, height, parity, weight gain per week and socioeconomic status made no difference to these measurements. The mean values for BPD were compared with those obtained from studies in Africa and Europe. No differences were found.