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Background To inform the on-going debate about the use of universal prescriptive versus national intrauterine growth charts, we compared perinatal mortality for small and large-for-gestational-age (SGA/LGA) infants according to international and national charts in Europe. Methods We classified singleton births from 33 to 42 weeks of gestation in 2010 and 2014 from 15 countries ( N = 1,475,457) as SGA (birthweight <10th percentile) and LGA (>90th percentile) using the international Intergrowth-21st newborn standards and national charts based on the customised charts methodology. We computed sex-adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for stillbirth, neonatal and extended perinatal mortality by this classification using multilevel models. Findings SGA and LGA prevalence using national charts were near 10% in all countries, but varied according to international charts with a north to south gradient (3.0% to 10.1% and 24.9% to 8.0%, respectively). Compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants by both charts, risk of perinatal mortality was increased for SGA by both charts (aOR[95% confidence interval (CI)]=6.1 [5.6–6.7]) and infants reclassified by international charts from SGA to AGA (2.7 [2.3–3.1]), but decreased for those reclassified from AGA to LGA (0.6 [0.4–0.7]). Results were similar for stillbirth and neonatal death. Interpretation Using international instead of national charts in Europe could lead to growth restricted infants being reclassified as having normal growth, while infants with low risks of mortality could be reclassified as having excessive growth. Funding InfAct Joint Action, CHAFEA Grant n°801,553 and EU/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking ConcePTION grant n°821,520. AH received a PhD grant from EHESP.

Objective To compare the performance of estimated fetal weight (EFW) charts at the third trimester ultrasound for detecting small-and large-for-gestational age (SGA/LGA) newborns with adverse outcomes.Design Nationally representative observational study.Setting French maternity units in 2016.Population 9940 singleton live births with an ultrasound between 30 and 35 weeks of gestation. Methods We compared three prescriptive charts (INTERGROWTH-21st, World Health Organization (WHO), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD]), four descriptive charts (Hadlock, Fetal Medicine Foundation, two French charts) and a French customised growth model (Epop e).Main outcome measures SGA and LGA (birthweights <10th and >90th percentiles) associated with adverse outcomes (low Apgar score, delivery-room resuscitation, neonatal unit admission).Results 2.1% and 1.1% of infants had SGA and LGA and adverse outcomes, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting Conclusion Marked differences in the performance of descriptive as well as prescriptive EFW charts highlight the importance of evaluating them for their ability to detect high-risk fetuses.