Fundal height

Fundal Height

Diagram showing fundal height by gestational age

Fundal height is a measurement used in obstetrics to assess the growth and development of the uterus during pregnancy. It is an important clinical tool for monitoring the progress of a pregnancy and can provide valuable information about fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.

Measurement

Fundal height is measured in centimeters from the top of the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus, known as the fundus. This measurement is typically taken with the patient lying in a supine position. The measurement is expected to correlate with the gestational age of the pregnancy in weeks, especially between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation.

Clinical Significance

The fundal height measurement is used to estimate gestational age and to monitor fetal growth. A fundal height that is smaller or larger than expected may indicate potential issues such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or macrosomia.

Small for Gestational Age

A fundal height that is smaller than expected for gestational age may suggest that the fetus is small for gestational age (SGA) or that there is a reduced amount of amniotic fluid, a condition known as oligohydramnios.

Large for Gestational Age

Conversely, a fundal height that is larger than expected may indicate a large for gestational age (LGA) fetus, polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid), or multiple gestation such as twins or triplets.

Limitations

While fundal height is a useful screening tool, it is not definitive. Variations in maternal body habitus, fetal position, and the presence of uterine fibroids can affect the accuracy of the measurement. Therefore, discrepancies in fundal height should be further evaluated with ultrasound imaging.

Related Pages

• Pregnancy
• Gestational age
• Intrauterine growth restriction
• Macrosomia
• Amniotic fluid