As you assess a pregnant patient you suspect false large-for-dates presentation. You should recognize that a possible cause for this is:

Question

A. Inaccurate LMP date
B. Excessive amniotic fluid
C. Maternal obesity
D. All of the above

Answer 1

ANS: D
A fetus may be found to be of a size that is not commensurate with normal growth rates (size not equal to dates) when the uterine size is measured and evaluated during routine prenatal visits. First-trimester uterine sizes are usually determined with bimanual examination, and size–date discrepancies are often not clinically relevant. After 20 weeks of gestation, fundal height measurements begin to correlate (within 2 cm) with gestational age. False small-for-dates presentations may result from inaccurate LMP dates, varying menstrual cycle lengths, improper fundal height measurement, or a fetus in a transverse lie. False large-for-dates presentations may likewise be produced by inaccurate LMP dates, improper fundal height measurement, and a large amount of amniotic fluid as well as maternal obesity or short stature.