Ultrasound Estimation of Fetal Macrosomia at Term: Diagnostic Accuracy Within 24 Hours of Delivery (ECHO-MACRO)

March 2, 2026 updated by: Centre Hospitalier Henri Duffaut - Avignon

ECHO-MACRO : Ultrasound Estimation of Fetal Macrosomia at Term: Diagnostic Accuracy Within 24 Hours of Delivery

Obstetric ultrasonography is now an essential tool for monitoring pregnancy. In France, three ultrasounds are recommended during a singleton pregnancy (at 12, 22, and 32 weeks of amenorrhea) to improve maternal and neonatal care. Among the parameters studied, fetal weight estimation allows for the assessment of fetal growth and the detection of certain conditions such as intrauterine growth restriction or macrosomia.

Fetal weight estimation is based primarily on the Hadlock formula, which combines several biometric measurements (head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length). This estimate has a margin of error of 6 to 10% compared to birth weight, which is still accurate enough to guide important medical decisions, such as inducing labor or performing a cesarean section. However, an estimation error can have negative consequences for both mother and child.

Fetal macrosomia is defined as a birth weight greater than or equal to 4000 g. It affects approximately 5 to 10% of pregnancies. Screening is mainly based on ultrasound, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

Macrosomia is associated with an increased risk of complications for the mother (cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, or deep vein thrombosis) and the child (shoulder dystocia, fractures, brachial plexus palsy, or neonatal asphyxia). These risks are increased in cases of macrosomia in the context of maternal diabetes.

Within the gynecology-obstetrics department, physicians use the protocole of macrosomia screening described in the DAME trial. If macrosomia is suspected an additional ultrasound is performed at around 36 weeks of amenorrhea. The Hadlock formula is used to estimate fetal weight. The ultrasound criteria for suspecting macrosomia are an estimated fetal weight above the 95th percentile (90th percentile in cases of maternal diabetes) according to WHO curves. In these cases, induction is offered between 38 and 39 weeks of amenorrhea, if the cervix is favorable. A cesarean section is offered to the patient if the estimated fetal weight is greater than 5000 g in the absence of diabetes and greater than 4500 g in cases of associated diabetes.

Nevertheless, the probability of a child being born macrosomic after ultrasound suspicion is between 17% and 80% on average, and 53% in our center. Although beneficial in the context of macrosomia, the effects of induced labor or cesarean delivery are not insignificant for the mother and her baby. In this context, the value of this study is to demonstrate that performing an ultrasound as close to the birth as possible could allow for a more reliable estimation of fetal weight and better detection of macrosomia in order to avoid unnecessary procedures.

The investigators hypothesize that fetal weight estimation is more accurate when performed within 24 hours prior to delivery. When the assessment is conducted earlier, it inherently assumes a constant fetal growth rate until birth, which may not reflect actual growth patterns. A more precise estimation of birth weight could improve clinical decision-making and optimize maternal and neonatal care, potentially reducing unnecessary interventions such as labor induction or cesarean delivery.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
285

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • France
      • Avignon, France, 84000
        • Centre Hospitalier d'Avignon, Hôpital Henri Duffaut
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jean-Yves Col, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Sonia Rasolofomanana, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 years old.
  • Patient with suspected fetal macrosomia above the 95th percentile, or above the 90th percentile in the case of maternal diabetes, according to Hadlock's formula and WHO charts, during the third-trimester ultrasound (between 32 and 34 weeks of amenorrhea).
  • Female patient presenting for a follow-up ultrasound at 36 ± 1 weeks of amenorrhea due to suspected macrosomia.
  • Singleton pregnancy.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Fetal weight estimation at 36 ± 1 weeks of amenorrhea and macrosomia assessment performed outside of the hospital.
  • Patient with uncertain gestational age.
  • Patient with a multiple pregnancy
  • Presence of detectable morphological or chromosomal abnormalities.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Group 1
Macrosomia confirmed by ultrasound at 36 weeks
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 12 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 12 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 22 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 22 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 32 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 32 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia before birth
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia within 24 hours ± 6 hours, prior to birth (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Other: Group 2
Macrosomia not confirmed by ultrasound
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 12 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 12 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 22 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 22 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)
Diagnostic test: Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 32 weeks of amenorrhea
Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 32 weeks of amenorrhea (estimated weight according to the Hadlock formula and WHO growth charts)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Frequency of fetal macrosomia
Time Frame: 24 hours before birth
Frequency will be expressed as numbers and percentages
24 hours before birth

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assess the diagnostic performance of the different ultrasound examinations for the detection of fetal macrosomia at birth.
Time Frame: At birth
By analyzing true-positive, false-positive, true-negative, and false-negative rates in a 2x2 contigency table
At birth

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Centre Hospitalier Henri Duffaut - Avignon

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ECHO-MACRO

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Fetal Weight

Clinical Trials on Ultrasound estimation of fetal macrosomia at 12 weeks of amenorrhea

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings