Journal Article

Gestational Age-Specific Biometric and Estimated Fetal Weight Curves in Gastroschisis: A Brazilian Multicenter Cohort Study

Pontes, Karina Felippe Monezi, Sarno, Manoel, Callado, Gustavo Yano, Souza, Alex Sandro Rolland, Rolo, Liliam Cristine, Peixoto, Alberto Borges, Braga, Antonio, Carvalho, Francisco Herlânio Costa, Araujo Júnior, Edward

2026

Overview

Objective: This study aimed to describe gestational age-specific biometric and estimated fetal weight (EFW) patterns derived from a multicenter cohort of fetuses with gastroschisis and to evaluate the agreement between prenatal EFW and birth weight. Methods: This retrospective study included singleton pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis and at least two ultrasound evaluations between 20 and 37 weeks. Data were collected from four Brazilian tertiary centers between 2010 and 2024. Biometric parameters (biparietal diameter, head circumference [HC], abdominal circumference, and femur length) and EFW were recorded. EFW was calculated using Hadlock IV and Siemer formulas. Polynomial regression models were applied to generate gestational age-specific curves for HC, femur length (FL), and EFW. Agreement between prenatal EFW and birth weight (in cases assessed within 14 days of delivery) was analyzed using Bland–Altman plots and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Results: A total of 116 pregnancies and 355 ultrasound tests were included. Polynomial models showed a strong association between gestational age and EFW (R2 = 0.837 for Siemer; R2 = 0.728 for Hadlock), HC (R2 = 0.849), and FL (R2 = 0.877). The 50th percentile curves for gastroschisis were consistently lower than those from standard growth charts. In the birthweight concordance analysis (n = 46), the Siemer formula showed low agreement (CCC = 0.55), while the Hadlock formula showed even lower concordance (CCC = 0.44), with both formulas underestimating actual birth weight. Conclusions: Fetuses with gastroschisis have distinct growth patterns not captured by standard references. Tailored growth curves and careful interpretation of EFW are essential to improve prenatal assessment in this population.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Abdomen / Biometrics / Birth weight / Births / estimated fetal weight / fetal growth / Fetuses / Gastroschisis / Gestational age / growth curves / Longitudinal studies / Medicine / Pregnancy / Pregnant women / Surveillance / Ultrasonic imaging / ultrasound biometry