The implications of introducing the symphyseal-fundal height-measurement. A prospective randomized controlled trial.
A total of 1639 women attending the antenatal clinic of Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, during 1986-1987 was randomized into a symphyseal fundal (SF)-group and a control group. The women in the SF-group had their fundal height measured from the 29th week until delivery. The measurements were used along with the other usual screening procedures. The SF-measurements were not found helpful in the prediction of small-for-gestational-age infants and no significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the number of interventions, additional diagnostic procedures, or the condition of the newborns.
There is insufficient evidence to determine whether SFH measurement is effective in detecting IUGR. We cannot therefore recommended any change of current practice. Further trials are needed.