Fetal growth potential in Kinshasa, Dr Congo

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the local prediction equation of birthweight.

- To establish fetal growth potential.

- To seek for ability of customised birthweight to identify growth disordered neonates.

Methodology: A sample of 261 mother–infant couples was studied from 20 week gestation throughout term in the largest maternity of Kinshasa. Using Gardosi’s model local prediction equation of birthweight and fetal growth potential were established. After calculating customised and population-based optimal birthweights, we evaluated neonatal outcomes according to both standards.

Results: Maternal fat mass had strong positive correlation with birthweight (p = 0.003) but did not bring significant change into the prediction equation of birthweight (R²= 0.264) probably due to its strong correlation with booking weight. The local coefficients and constant were similar to Caucasian based models. Although risk for neonatal adverse outcome was more likely to be higher with customised standards, the small number of SGAs and LGAs as well as large confidence intervals could not allow to draw strong conclusions.

Conclusion: The value of predictive equation of birthweight of our model is similar to that of European, American, and Oceanian models, confirming, in our sub-Saharan setting too, the ability of customised birthweight to better identify growth disordered neonates according to their growth potential.

• Customised birthweight
• fat mass
• fetal growth
• growth potential
• optimal birthweight
• prediction equation

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the assistance of Drs. MAKAWANI, NTELA and Mrs. OMARI for their support in data collection entry during the research period.