Early-onset fetal growth restriction defined by only abdominal circumference is associated with perinatal mortality

AbstractAbnormal maternal serum biomarkers (AMSB), identified through the aneuploidy screening programme, are frequent incidental findings in pregnancy. They are associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR), but previous studies have not examined whether this association is with early-onset (< 34 weeks) or late-onset (> 34 weeks) FGR; as a result there is no consensus on management. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and phenotype of FGR in women with AMSB and test the predictive value of placental sonographic screening to predict early-onset FGR. 1196 pregnant women with AMSB underwent a 21–24 week “placental screen” comprising fetal and placental size, and uterine artery Doppler. Multivariable regression was used to calculate a predictive model for early-onset FGR (birthweight centile < 3rd/< 10th with absent umbilical end-diastolic flow, < 34 weeks). FGR prevalence was high (10.3%), however early-onset FGR was uncommon (2.3%). Placental screening effectively identified early-onset (area under the curve (AUC) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.00), but not late-onset FGR (AUC 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.75). Internal validation demonstrated robust performance for detection/exclusion of early-onset FGR. In this cohort, utilisation of our proposed algorithm with targeted fetal growth and Doppler surveillance, compared with universal comprehensive surveillance would have avoided 1044 scans, potentiating significant cost-saving for maternity services.

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DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF SELECTIVE FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION IN MONOCHORIONIC TWINS

Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review ◽

10.1017/s0965539509990106 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 269-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

EDUARD GRATACÓS ◽

ELISENDA EIXARCH ◽

FATIMA CRISPI

Keyword(s):

Fetal Growth ◽

Common Sense ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Fetal Weight ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Monochorionic Twins ◽

Normal Ranges ◽

Estimated Fetal Weight ◽

Simple Definition

Selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) has been reported to occur in about 10–15% of monochorionic (MC) twins. The diagnosis of sFGR has been based on variable criteria including estimated fetal weight (EFW), abdominal circumference and/or the degree of fetal weight discordance. Recent studies tend to use a simple definition which includes the presence of an EFW less than the 10th percentile in the smaller twin. Some would argue that the intertwin fetal weight discordance should be included in the definition. Indeed this factor plays a major role in the complications presented by these cases. While the majority of cases with one fetus below the 10th percentile usually will also present with a large intertwin EFW discordance, the contrary is not always true. Thus, it is possible to find MC twins with remarkable intertwin EFW discordance but the EFW of both fetuses are still within normal ranges. Although it appears to be common sense that a large intertwin discrepancy might represent a higher risk for some of the complications described later in this review, there is no consistent evidence to support this notion. Therefore, due to its simplicity, a definition based on an EFW below 10th percentile in one twin is probably the most useful for clinical and research purposes.

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