Fetal Growth and Placental Function in Patients With Placenta Praevia

Summary Fetal growth was assessed by serial ultrasound cephalometry in 150 patients with uncomplicated placenta praevia and certain menstrual dates who were treated expectantly. Placental function was assessed by serial 24‐hour total maternal urinary oestrogen assays. There were 24 (16 per cent) small‐for‐dates infants, more accurately predicted by serial cephalometry than by serial maternal urinary oestrogen assays. There was good correlation between fetal growth and the number of episodes of bleeding in pregnancy.