SDMS CME Credit – Sonographic Fetal Scalp Thickness as a Potential Indicator of Estimated Fetal Weight,in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

The opportunity to earn SDMS CME credit is complimentary for SDMS members and available for a fee to non-members. Access the SDMS CME test at: learn.sdms.org

Article: Sonographic Fetal Scalp Thickness as a Potential Indicator of Estimated Fetal Weight, in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Authors: Akwa E. Erim, MS, Ofonime N. Ukweh, FWACS, Akpama E. Egong, MSc, Blessing Ibe, MSc, Bassey E. Archibong, MSc, Chinedu Chukwu, MWACS, Okoro Goodluck, MSc, Joshua Ojile, BSc, Andrew Ijever, BSc, and Benjamin E. Udoh, PhD

Category: OB/GYN [OB]

Credit: 1.00 SDMS CME Credit

Objectives: After studying the article, you should be able to:

• Identify the importance of accurate fetal weight estimations.

• Describe how to measure fetal scalp thickness (FST).

• Recognize landmarks utilized when measuring FST.

1. Which is an important parameter in determining neonatal survival?

2. B. Estimated fetal weight (EFW)

3. C. Fetal position in utero

4. D. Placental weight

According to the article, what percentage of births occur at 40 weeks gestation?

A. Less than three percent

B. Less than ten percent

C. Approximately fifty percent

D. Greater than twenty percent

Maternal race, parity, weight gain, hematocrit, and ambient elevation are all factors that could affect which of the following during the third trimester?

A. Fetal presentation

B. Function of the placenta

C. Mean estimated fetal weight (EFW)

D. Mode of delivery

Evidence shows that the accurate determination of EFW by sonography can be improved by:

A. Excluding the femur length

B. Utilizing fewer fetal biometric parameters

C. Including the fetal length

D. Including multiple fetal biometric parameters

In a previous study noted in the article, neonatal weight prediction was improved by integrating which measurement into the model of EFW calculation?

A. Maternal age at conception

B. Mid-thigh soft tissue thickness (STT)

C. FST

D. Diameter of the fetal humerus

According to the article, which measurement demonstrated significant moderate positive correlation with abdominal circumference (AC)?

A. FST

B. Fetal well being

C. Crown-rump length

D. EFW

What type of measurement is fetal scalp thickness (FST)?

A. Circumference

B. multi-diameter

C. Diagonal

D. Linear

Compared to actual birth weight, researchers have reported that an estimated fetal weight from sonography can fluctuate by as much as:

A. 10%

B. 15%

C. 20%

D. 25%

The article concluded that the FST could also be useful when monitoring:

A. Fetal well being

B. Fetal lung maturity

C. Fetal growth trajectory

D. Microsomia

Prior to delivery, it is important to correctly determine the EFW, which can influence:

A. Fetal well being

B. The length of time the newborn will spend in the hospital nursery

C. The pregnancy outcome and the survival of the newborn

D. Fetal movement