Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2022)

Background: Multiple interactions between maternal, foetal, and placental effects impact the development of the foetus. Numerous aspects of perinatology need that the foetal development rate correspond with its age. Abnormal foetal development can lead to prenatal and postnatal complications and is associated with an increase in infant morbidity and mortality, given that foetal weight is one of the most influential factors influencing newborn survival. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fetal abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness (FASTT) measured by ultrasonography at term and correlate it with the actual birth weight (BW) recorded at the time of delivery. 
Methods: This study prospective observational study was carried out on 60 singleton pregnant ladies and normal viable ongoing pregnancies at 37-39th week. Women underwent the following procedures: history taking, abdominal examination, abdominal ultrasonographic examinations (at 37-39 weeks), and follow-up after delivery for the recording of the post-natal fetal weight. 
Results: The mean resistive index was 0.61±0.01 among the participants while the mean FASTT was 6.8± 1.8 mm. Cut-off value of FASTT for large babies obtained by using ROC curve was 4.55 mm. Sensitivity for FASTT >4.5 mm for gestational age babies is 91.7% and specificity is 65.4%. There was statistically significant positive correlation between FASTT and weight at birth in grams. There were 44% had vaginal delivery and 56% had caesarean delivery. There were 14% had preterm labor. The mean weight at birth was 3227±642.7 g among the participants.
Conclusions: The relationship between FASTT and BW is favourable. 4.55 mm was the FASTT cutoff threshold for large newborns. The sensitivity and specificity for FASTT >4.5 mm in newborns of gestational age are 91.7% and 65.4%, respectively. In addition to other well-established birth weight indicators, FASTT can be used to predict newborns who are big for their gestational age.