THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FETAL ANTHROPOMETRY AND CESAREAN DELIVERY

Abstract

Aim. To assess the associations between fetal head circumference and labour outcomes in Lithuanian population. Methods. Retrospective cohort study was carried out in Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Primiparous patients who had fetal ultrasound performed during the last 7 days or less before labour were included (n=213). Results. Fetal head circumference (FHC) and cesarean delivery (C-section) due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) were related (rφ=0.235, p=0.001), but no relation with fetal weight was detected. Smoking during pregnancy (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.05–6.45), occipitoposterior position (OP) (OR 19.27, 95% CI 4.84–76.74), FHC ≥338.8 mm (OR 5.98, 95% CI 1.94–18.44) were risk factors for C-section due to CPD. OP, FHC ≥338.8 mm, epidural analgesia combination had the highest predictive values for the C-section. Conclusions. FHC of 338.8 mm and larger and occipitoposterior fetal head position during labour were linked to increased risk of the emergency C-section.