At 26 weeks' gestation, a fundal height of 31 cm may indicate which of the following conditions?

A fundal height measurement of 31 cm at 26 weeks’ gestation suggests that the uterus is measuring larger than expected for the gestational age. This discrepancy can be associated with macrosomia, which refers to a condition where the fetus is significantly larger than average. Typically, fundal height should correlate closely with the gestational age; a deviation of more than 2 cm is often considered notable.

In this context, macrosomia may occur due to various factors such as maternal diabetes, obesity, or genetics. Larger fetal size can affect fundal height due to increased amniotic fluid space and the size of the fetus, both contributing to an elevated measurement.

When assessing fundal height, healthcare providers monitor for abnormal growth patterns to ensure maternal-fetal well-being. Thus, a fundal height exceeding expectations, like in this case, could signal macrosomia as a potential concern requiring further assessment and management.