An integrated approach based on advanced CTG parameters and Doppler measurements for late growth restriction management

Abstract Background The clinical diagnosis of late Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) involves the integration of Doppler ultrasound data and Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) monitoring through computer assisted computerized cardiotocography (cCTG). The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic power of combined Doppler and cCTG parameters by contrasting late FGR –and healthy controls. Methods The study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2020. Only pregnant women who had the last Doppler measurement obtained within 1 week before delivery and cCTG performed within 24 h before delivery were included in the study. Two hundred forty-nine pregnant women fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study; 95 were confirmed as late FGR and 154 were included in the control group. Results Among the extracted cCTG parameters, Delta Index, Short Term Variability (STV), Long Term Variability (LTV), Acceleration and Deceleration Phase Rectified Slope (APRS, DPRS) values were lower in the late FGR participants compared to the control group. In the FGR cohort, Delta, STV, APRS, and DPRS were found different when stratifying by MCA_PI (MCA_PI <5th centile or > 5th centile). STV and DPRS were the only parameters to be found different when stratifying by (UA_PI >95th centile or UA_PI <95th centile). Additionally, we measured the predictive power of cCTG parameters toward the identification of associated Doppler measures using figures of merit extracted from ROC curves. The AUC of ROC curves were accurate for STV (0,70), Delta (0,68), APRS (0,65) and DPRS (0,71) when UA_PI values were > 95th centile while, the accuracy attributable to the prediction of MCA_PI was 0.76, 0.77, 0.73, and 0.76 for STV, Delta, APRS, and DPRS, respectively. An association of UA_PI>95th centile and MCA_PI<5th centile with higher risk for NICU admission, was observed, while CPR < 5th centile resulted not associated with any perinatal outcome. Values of STV, Delta, APRS, DPRS were significantly lower for FGR neonates admitted to NICU, compared with the uncomplicated FGR cohort. Conclusions The results of this study show the contribution of advanced cCTG parameters and fetal Doppler to the identification of late FGR and the association of those parameters with the risk for NICU admission. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

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Pathological features of the sequence in pregnant women with delayed fetal growth

HEALTH OF WOMAN ◽

10.15574/hw.2019.140.50 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 50-54

Author(s):

V.O. Golyanovskiy ◽

◽

Ye.O. Didyk ◽

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Normal Development ◽

Intrauterine Infection ◽

Normal Pregnancy ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Infection And Inflammation

Pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and long-term complications compared with the birth of children with normal body weight. Thus, IUGR is one of the main challenges for the global health system, especially in poor and developing countries. Morpho-functional studies of the placentas help in determining the causes of IUGR, and therefore, timely prevent complications in pregnant women with IUGR. The objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate various morphometric and pathomorphological changes in the placenta, including inflammatory, in cases of IUGR, and to establish a correlation of these results with the etiology and complications for the fetus. Materials and methods. In the current study, 54 placentas of the fetuses with IUGR (the main group) were compared with 50 placentas of the fetuses with normal development (control group). The criteria for the inclusion of IUGR were gestational age more than 30 weeks and all fetuses with a weight less than 10th percentile for this period of pregnancy. The placenta material was studied pathomorphologically with laboratory screening for infection and inflammation. Similarly, the results were determined for placentas of the fetuses with normal development compared to placentas with IUGR. Results. The placenta study showed the presence of calcification in the case of IUGR, as well as in the case of prolonged pregnancy. However, calcification of the placenta in the case of IUGR was more progressive compared with placenta in the normal pregnancy. In addition, the presence of intrauterine infection and inflammation was observed, which could also lead to an adverse outcome for the further progression of pregnancy with IUGR. Conclusion. A comparative macro- and microscopic pathomorphological study of the placentas in the two groups has shown a significant increase in the pathological changes in all the anatomical structures of the fetuses with IUGR. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal weight, pathomorphological changes of the placenta.

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Mean Platelet Volume is Affected in Term Fetuses with Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie ◽

10.1055/a-1177-1773 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gul Nihal Buyuk ◽

Z.Asli Oskovi-Kaplan ◽

Aysegul Oksuzoglu ◽

H.Levent Keskin

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Mean Platelet Volume ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Platelet Volume ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Potential Marker ◽

The Mean

Abstract Objectives The aim of our study was to analyze the mean platelet volume levels as a potential marker of altered placentation in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) cases. Methods A total of 126 term singleton pregnant women with IUGR fetuses and 345 healthy pregnant controls were recruited and compared. Results The mean platelet volume was significantly higher in the IUGR group (10.8±0.9 fl) than the control group (9.9±1.1 fl) (p=0.03). The mean hemoglobin was lower in IUGR group (11.3 (8.3–14.5) g/dl) than the control group (11.9 (8.2–13.0) g/dl) (p=0.04). The optimal cut-off MPV for prediction of IUGR was ≥10.55 fl, with a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 75%. Conclusion Increased MPV levels in term pregnant women may be particularly helpful for discrimination and prediction of high-risk fetuses when IUGR is suspected.

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Evaluation of the Acceleration and Deceleration Phase-Rectified Slope to Detect and Improve IUGR Clinical Management

Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/236896 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Salvatore Tagliaferri ◽

Andrea Fanelli ◽

Giuseppina Esposito ◽

Francesca Giovanna Esposito ◽

Giovanni Magenes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

High Performance ◽

Neonatal Outcome ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Deceleration Phase ◽

Pearson Correlation Test ◽

Acceleration And Deceleration ◽

Gestational Week ◽

Standard Linear

Objective.This study used a new method called Acceleration (or Deceleration) Phase-Rectified Slope, APRS (or DPRS) to analyze computerized Cardiotocographic (cCTG) traces in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), in order to calculate acceleration- and deceleration-related fluctuations of the fetal heart rate, and to enhance the prediction of neonatal outcome.Method.Cardiotocograms from a population of 59 healthy and 61 IUGR fetuses from the 30th gestation week matched for gestational age were included. APRS and DPRS analysis was compared to the standard linear and nonlinear cCTG parameters. Statistical analysis was performed through thet-test, ANOVA test, Pearson correlation test and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves (p<0,05).Results.APRS and DPRS showed high performance to discriminate between Healthy and IUGR fetuses, according to gestational week. A linear correlation with the fetal pH at birth was found in IUGR. The area under the ROC curve was 0.865 for APRS and 0.900 for DPRS before the 34th gestation week.Conclusions.APRS and DPRS could be useful in the identification and management of IUGR fetuses and in the prediction of the neonatal outcome, especially before the 34th week of gestation.

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Can Inflammatory Hematological Parameters be a Guide to Late-onset Fetal Growth Restriction?

Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie ◽

10.1055/a-1177-1516 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Demet Aydogan kırmızı ◽

Emre Baser ◽

Taylan Onat ◽

Melike Demir Caltekin ◽

Mustafa Kara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Late Onset ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose To compare the rates obtained from hematological parameters in cases of late-onset idiopathic fetal growth restriction (FGR) with healthy pregnancies and to evaluate the effect on neonatal outcomes. Methods The study group consisted of 63 pregnant women with late-onset idiopathic FGR and the control group consisted of 91 healthy pregnant women. The determined rates were calculated from the control hemograms of patients at 28 weeks. Both groups were compared for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and other parameters. Results NLR, leukocyte and neutrophil levels were significantly higher in the FGR group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in PLR, platelet and lymphocyte levels between the groups (p>0.05). To predict FGR, the best cut-off value of NLR was determined to be 4.11 with 56% sensitivity and 88% specificity values. Conclusion Neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet interactions have an important role in FGR development. Inflammation can be involved in the etiopathogenesis in late-onset FGR.

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Relationship of Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) Between Maternal and Perinatal in Patients

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i44a32638 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 460-465

Author(s):

Manimekalai, Neranjana

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Fetal Distress ◽

Fetal Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Amniotic Fluid Index ◽

Nicu Admission ◽

Relationship Of

Background: Alcohol amniotic, a protecting fluid that surround the embryo. It protects from concussion, pressure, desiccation, reminiscent of the aquatic origin of life. Adequate amount of amniotic fluid is essential requirement for the normal development and it acts like a cushion against trauma, agitation and accidental impulsions. It has also bacteriostatic properties and prevents the infection of many bacterial infections. Aim: To assess the maternal and fetal outcome in cases with normal and abnormal Amniotic Fluid Index levels. Results: The mode of delivery was spontaneous vaginal delivery followed by Assisted VD, Elective CS, Emergency CS respectively. It was affected by amount of liquor since, low AFI group 35 (75%) patients ended up in cesarean section for fetal distress. While in control group 63(18.3%) patients had caesarean section. Conclusion: Early neonatal death was seen in 0.2%, 4.5% and 70.5% newborns were born to pregnant women with normal AFI, oligohydramnios respectively. 70.5% neonates born to pregnant women with oligohydramnios had NICU admission. All cases were admitted in NICU because of respiratory distress.

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Galectin-1 expression in the serum and placenta of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction and its significance

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-020-03477-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiao-Xiao Jin ◽

Xiang Ying ◽

Min-Yue Dong

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Diagnostic Marker ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Singleton Pregnancy ◽

The Difference ◽

Single Birth

Abstract Background This study aims to investigate galectin-1 (Gal-1) expression in the serum and placenta of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and its significance. Methods Thirty-one pregnant women with single-birth FGR but without comorbidities, eight pregnant women with FGR and preeclampsia (PE), and eight pregnant women with FGR and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were enrolled as the study group, while 20 pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancy in the same period were enrolled as the control group. The serum Gal-1 level was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Gal-1 expression in the placenta was detected by western blot. Results The results revealed that, compared with the control group, the serum Gal-1 level decreased in the women with FGR without comorbidities, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the difference in serum Gal-1 expression in the FGR-PE group was not statistically significant (P = 0.29). The peripheral serum Gal-1 level decreased in the FGR-GDM group compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The serum Gal-1 level was positively correlated with birth weight (r2 = 0.172, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the Gal-1 expression level decreased in the placenta of the pregnant women with FGR without comorbidities (P < 0.05). Conclusions Gal-1 exhibits low expression in the serum and placenta of pregnant women with FGR. In addition, Gal-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of FGR and could represent a new diagnostic marker of the disease.

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Combined prevention of fetal growth restriction based on determination of diagnostic markers

EUREKA Health Sciences ◽

10.21303/2504-5679.2021.001849 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 9-15

Author(s):

Vladimir Golyanovskyi

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Fetal Distress ◽

Main Group ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

High Risk Women ◽

Micro Elements

Due to the morbidity of mothers and newborns caused by fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia, preventive measures should be taken, especially in women at high risk of developing these conditions. Many studies have been conducted on the prevention of FGR and preeclampsia in high-risk women, especially anticoagulants, aspirin, paravastatin, nitric oxide, microelements (L-arginine, folic acid, vitamins E and C, phytonutrients, vitamin D) and calcium. The aim is to improve perinatal consequences by preventing FGR in high-risk women. Materials and methods: A prospective study of 137 pregnant women in the period of 110–136 weeks was conducted at the Perinatal Center in Kyiv. Pregnant women were divided into 3 groups. The main group included 47 women at high risk of FGR who received therapy (low doses of aspirin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and vitamin and micro elements drugs). The comparison group included 45 women who had a high risk of FGR but did not receive treatment. The control group consisted of 45 women who were not at risk of FGR. The frequency of FGR and placental dysfunction were analyzed as well as a fetal distress was analyzed ante- and intranatally. Results: Therapy with low doses of aspirin, LMWH and a complex preparation of vitamins and micro elements improves the course of pregnancy and gestational complications. In the main group FGR was detected in 8.5 %, in the comparison group – in 17.8 %, in the control group – 4.4 %. Placental dysfunction was detected in 13.3 % in the control group, and only 6.4 % in the main group that was close to the control group – 2.2 %. Similar tendencies were found for fetal distress ante- and intranatally. Conclusions: The proposed prophylactic measures can improve maternal outcomes by reducing the level of gestational complications in pregnant women with biochemical signs of risk of FGR development. In addition, these preventive measures can reduce the frequency of children births with growth restriction, which significantly reduces early neonatal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

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New Approaches to Treatment of Severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Central Asian Journal of Global Health ◽

10.5195/cajgh.2014.166 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Zhanar Kurmangali

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Umbilical Artery ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

New Approaches ◽

Port System

Introduction. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality due to placental insufficiency. Currently, one of the new approaches to treating this disease is the injection of nutrients to the fetus through intravascular port-systems (catheters).Objective. To assess the impact of nutrient injections as treatment to fetuses with severe growth retardation.Materials and methods. Pregnant women with IUGR (abdominal circumference (AC) < 5th percentile) with the absence of diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and a fetal gestational age of less than 30 weeks were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group included six pregnant women who had an intravascular port-system for the infusion of nutrients (amino acids and glucose) in the umbilical vein of the fetus for 14 ± 3 days. The control group consisted of eight patients who received only traditional dynamic monitoring and delivery at the optimum time of pregnancy. Fetal status was assessed using ultrasound equipment Accuvix V20 (Medison, South Korea) by examining indicators of biometry and Doppler study of blood flow in utero, umbilical arteries, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus with fetal vascular resistance index calculation - pulsatility index (PI). Criteria for blood flow disturbances in the vessels were considered PI values above normal values for their gestational age, which were defined as absence or reverse blood flow in a diastole in the umbilical artery.Results. In a comparative analysis of the two groups, the treatment led to a 44.7% increase in AC of the fetus (121.0 ± 11.5 mm and 219.3 ± 18.3 mm, respectively, p ˂ 0.001). In all cases, the profile of blood flow in the umbilical artery had a positive diastolic component. As a result, there was a 45.3% decrease in PI in the umbilical artery (2.14 ± 0.54 and 1.17 ± 0.15, respectively, p < 0.05). Average fetal weight in the study group was not significantly higher than the control group (1,120.3 ± 213.6 g and 909.6 ± 131.4 g, p > 0.05).Conclusion. Thus, injection of nutrients to the fetuses through intravascular port-system improved placental perfusion and metabolism, which has the potential for improved fetal growth. This, in turn, promoted full-term pregnancy and improved perinatal outcomes in fetal pathology.

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A pilot study on investigating the role of Salvia miltiorrhiza in fetal growth restriction

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20201222 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Fanghua Shen ◽

Hongdao Lv ◽

Yun Shi ◽

Sandy Lau ◽

Fang Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Salvia Miltiorrhiza ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Control Group

Abstract To date there is no effective treatment for pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR). Salvia miltiorrhiza, a traditional Chinese herb has been shown to promote blood flow and improve microcirculatory disturbance. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether S. miltiorrhiza can potentially become a possible therapy for FGR. Nineteen pregnant women with FGR were treated with S. miltiorrhiza and ATP supplementation for an average of 7 days, and 17 cases received ATP supplementation as controls. The estimated fetal weights (EFWs) were measured by ultrasound after treatment, and the birthweights were recorded after birth. After treatment with S. miltiorrhiza, 7 (37%) FGR cases showed an increase in EFW to above the 10th percentile, compared with 4 (23%) FGR cases in controls (odds ratio: 1.896, 95% confidence limits (CLs): 0.44–8.144). At delivery, 10 (53%) FGR cases in the treatment group delivered babies with a birthweight above the 10th percentile, compared with 6 (35%) FGR cases in the control group (odds ratio: 2.037, 95% CL: 0.532–7.793); 80 or 64% FGR cases in the treatment group showed an increase in fetal abdominal circumference (AC) or biparietal diameter (BPD) above the 10th percentile before delivery. While 44 or 30% FGR cases in the control group showed an increase in AC or BPD. No improvement of head circumference (HC) or femur length (FL) was seen. These pilot data suggest the need for multicenter randomized clinical trials on the potential of S. miltiorrhiza to improve perinatal outcome in pregnant women complicated by FGR.

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Fetal Liver Size, Hepatic Artery Doppler Study in Late Intra Uterine Growth Restriction

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2021/v33i1731041 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 167-176

Author(s):

Ali Farag Ali ◽

Mohamed Mohsen El Namori ◽

Ahmed El Sayed El Halwagy ◽

Magdy Hassan Hussein Balaha

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Hepatic Artery ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Fetal Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Liver Size ◽

Doppler Indices

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a condition in which the fetus does not reach its growth potential. It is well known that a fetus affected with late IUGR has smaller abdominal size. The aim of the study is to evaluate the fetal liver size, fetal hepatic artery blood flow and other fetal vascular Doppler indices in cases of late IUGR. Methods: This observational analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 pregnant women at or above 32 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (study group): 50 pregnant women as study group who were affected with IUGR. Group 2 (control group): 50 normally pregnant women as control group. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between fetal weight and liver length. There was a positive highly statistically significant correlation between symphysial fundal height and the estimated fetal weight by ultrasound in cases of IUGR. There was a statistically significant decrease in the liver size in IUGR compared to the normal group. There was a statistically significant reduced hepatic arterial Doppler indices. Conclusions: Reduced liver size and hepatic arterial Doppler indices (PI, RI) can be valid diagnostic methods in IUGR. SFH, in fetuses suffering from IUGR when compared to normal cases, was correlated with EFW.

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