SYMPHYSIS-FUNDAL HEIGHT MEASUREMENT IN ANTENATAL CARE AT LUMHS HOSPITAL, JAMSHORO: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i2.1692Keywords:
symphysis-fundal height, small-for-gestational-age, fetal growth monitoring, antenatal care, ultrasound, perinatal outcomes, resource-constrained settingsAbstract
Background: Routine symphysis-fundal height (SFH) measurement during pregnancy is a widely practiced method for estimating foetal size and gestational age in antenatal care. The objective of this study was to determine the SFH values at different gestational ages among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at LUMHS Hospital, Jamshoro and to assess the relationship between SFH and gestational age. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at LUMHS Hospital, Jamshoro, involving 50 pregnant women aged 18?40 years. SFH measurements were initiated after 28 weeks of gestation and taken at regular intervals. Statistical analysis included mean and standard deviation of SFH values, and correlation analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.02±3.66 years, and mean gestational age was 32.62±2.83 weeks. Mean SFH during 28?38 weeks was 30.54±2.62 Cm and increased with advancing gestational age. There was a strong correlation between SFH and gestational age (r=0.998). Conclusion: Symphysial-fundal height measurement showed a strong correlation with gestational age, supporting its usefulness as a supportive tool in antenatal care. However, due to potential variability from clinical and foetal factors, SFH should complement—not replace—ultrasound assessment.
Pak J Physiol 2025;21(2):12-15, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i2.1692
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Copyright (c) 2025 Saba Kalhoro, Sara Laghari, Afshan Memon, Maliha Fatima, Neeta Maheshwary, Muhammad Athar Khan
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