Embryonic size and growth and adverse birth outcomes: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort
Authors: Roelants J A , Vermeulen M J , Willemsen S P , Been J V , Koning A H , Eggink A J , Joosten K F M , Reiss I K M , Steegers-Theunissen R P M 
Published: September 2024

STUDY QUESTION

Is early embryonic size and growth in the first trimester of pregnancy associated with adverse birth outcomes?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Larger embryonic crown–rump length (CRL) and embryonic volume (EV) are associated with lower odds of adverse birth outcomes, especially small for gestational age (SGA).

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN

Preterm birth, SGA, and congenital anomalies are the most prevalent adverse birth outcomes with lifelong health consequences as well as high medical and societal costs. In the late first and second trimesters of pregnancy, fetuses at risk for adverse birth outcomes can be identified using 2-dimensional ultrasonography (US).

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Between 2009 and 2018, singleton pregnancies were enrolled in this ongoing prospective Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

This study included 918 pregnant women from a tertiary hospital in the Netherlands. Pregnancy dating was based on either a regular menstrual cycle (for natural pregnancies) or a conception date (for ART pregnancies). CRL and EV were measured using Virtual Reality software on 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound scans, repeatedly performed around 7, 9, and 11 weeks of gestation. The main outcome measure was adverse birth outcome, defined as the composite of SGA (birth weight &lt;10th percentile), preterm birth (&lt;37th week of gestation), congenital anomalies (Eurocat criteria), stillbirth (&gt;16th week of pregnancy), or early neonatal mortality (≤7 days of life). Reference curves for CRL and EV were constructed. Cross-sectional (CRL/EV &lt;20th percentile at 7, 9, and 11 weeks of gestation) and longitudinal (CRL/EV growth trajectories between 6th and 13th weeks) regression analyses were performed, with adjustments for the participants’ educational level, smoking, parity, age, BMI, geographical background, mode of conception, and fetal sex.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Of the 918 pregnant women included, the median age was 32.3 years, and 404 (44%) pregnancies had been conceived via ART. In 199 (22%) pregnancies, there was an adverse birth outcome. Regression analyses showed that at 7 weeks of gestation onwards, embryos with a CRL &lt;20th percentile had an ∼2-fold increased odds of adverse birth outcome (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.03, 95% CI 1.21—3.39, P = 0.007). Similar associations were found for EV &lt;20th percentile but were not statistically significant. These findings were mainly driven by the strong association between embryonic size and SGA (e.g. 7-week CRL: aOR 2.18 (1.16–4.09), P = 0.02; 9-week EV: aOR 2.09 (1.10—3.97, P = 0.02). Longitudinal growth trajectories of CRL, but not of EV, were associated with adverse birth outcomes. Both CRL and EV growth trajectories were associated with SGA.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The tertiary hospital population and the availability of sophisticated 3D-ultrasound techniques limit the generalizability of this study to general populations and settings.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Already very early in the first trimester of pregnancy, embryos with increased risks of an adverse birth outcome can be identified by using 3D-US and Virtual Reality. This expands the window of opportunity to enable the development of future interventions to potentially improve pregnancy outcomes and offspring health during their life-course.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was funded by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NL4115.