FGR: Risk Factors and Outcomes
Authors: Elbishry G M A , Ali R R , Ramadan R T 
Published: May 2020

Background

Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) is the one of largest contributing factor to perinatal morbidity in non-anomalous fetuses and is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, neonatal death and short and long-term complications. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is defined as an estimated fetal weight and/or abdominal circumference (AC) is less than the10th percentile. In order to avoid these adverse outcomes, the management of pregnancies with FGR involves close monitoring of fetal well-being and early delivery when necessary. Screening for FGR during pregnancy is thus a central component of prenatal care, as highlighted in recent national guidelines, first-line tools include risk factor assessment at the beginning and during pregnancy. Hence, in this study we evaluated the maternal risk factors and diagnosis-delivery intervals and perinatal outcomes in FGR.

Aim

To determine the effect of specific antenatal FGR risk factors on fetal growth trajectory and the outcomes using threshold of estimated fetal weight (EFW) and abdominal circumference (AC) &lt;10th percentile.

Methods

Prospective observational analytical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Cairo, Egypt on 100 pregnant women with documented fetal growth restriction attended Ain Shams University hospital over a period of 1 year and eight months. All fetuses considered as growth restrictions. Fetuses with multiple pregnancy, congenital malformation, chromosomal abnormality, and premature rupture of membrane were. Socio-demographic, maternal risk, Diagnosis- delivery interval in FGR and neonatal morbidities were studied.

Results

This study included 100 pregnant women with documented FGR fetuses, the mean maternal age at diagnosis was 28.6±2.7 years, the mean pregnant women weight at diagnosis was 72.7±5.1 (kg) with BMI range 25.6–29.8 (kg/m2) and their pregnancy weight gain was 12.0–25.0 (kg), 50 women used to consume caffeine more than 200 mg/day, and the percentage of nicotine exposure was 22% of total studied pregnants, 19 % were passive smokers and 3% of them were active. 73% were multigravida and the rest were primi-gravida, the mean inter-pregnancy interval was 17.3±4.7 months. Obstetric history of Previous placental mediated diseases included (prior FGR, previous intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), Pre-eclampsia and un-explained antepartum hemorrhage) were distributed as follows 16.0%, 6.0%, 12.0% and 2.0% respectively. Also we found 2.0% had an in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 26 women got regular antenatal care (ANC). At the end of our study 45% of fetuses were delivered at completed 37 weeks and 55% showed pre-term delivery (before 37 weeks). 95% of total were delivered by caesarean section. The indications for caesarean section were different. So, among 100 FGR fetuses, 35 fetus had abnormal Doppler pattern which considered the main indication for termination of pregnancy, the most frequent one was absent/reversed ductus venosus Doppler which was the cause of preterm immediate caesarean section in 4 of fetuses. We also found 2 fetuses with also absent/reversed EDV but with abnormal CTG, we found 20 fetuses with PI &gt; 2SD with preserved EDV and completed 37 weeks, 13% had non-reactive non-stress test (NST) necessitating imminent delivery, also 3 fetuses with absent EDV &gt; 34 weeks while only one fetus with reversed EDV &gt;32 weeks. We found 1 fetus with static growth over 3 weeks during our follow up, also we discovered 1 pregnant women who developed accidental hemorrhage with placental separation and other 3 women developed sever pre-eclampsia who underwent emergency caesarean section after controlling their condition.

Conclusion

FGR is associated with sociodemographic status and various medical conditions. Analysis of various maternal and familial risk factors is an integral part of in-utero fetal surveillance to identify impending fetal hypoxia. Appropriate management should be offered to these FGR fetuses, is optimizing the timing of delivery to improve perinatal health in FGR.