FETAL GROWTH AND PERINATAL VIABILITY IN CALIFORNIA

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (5) , 624-632
Abstract
To produce more appropriate information for evaluating [human] fetal growth and viability, vital records data were used to compute percentile curves and perinatal, neonatal and fetal mortality rates at specific birth-weights and gestational ages. Percentile values were in good agreement with previous studies and the large number of births (2,288,806) allowed for a more precise determination of fetal viability at various weight-age combinations than was previously available. Mortality rates were much more sensitive to birth-weight than to gestational age, especially for small-for-gestational age fetuses. Optimal weight-age combinations were up to 500 g and 2 wk greater than the average combination. Results consistently emphasize the importance of rapid sustained fetal growth at all gestational ages.