WHO Fetal Growth Charts

Perinatal mortality and morbidity continue to be major global health challenges strongly associated with prematurity and reduced fetal growth, an issue of further interest given the mounting evidence that fetal growth in general is linked to degrees of risk of common noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. Ultrasound estimation of fetal weight before birth is today very widely used in clinical practice, and, while essential for the identification and management of high-risk pregnancies,the current reference ranges used worldwide are largely based on single populations from a few high-income countries and are therefore of uncertain general applicability.