Clinical Opinion: The diagnosis and management of suspected fetal growth restriction: an evidence-based approach
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Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study reviewed the literature about the diagnosis, antepartum surveillance, and time of delivery of fetuses suspected to be small for gestational age or growth restricted. Several guidelines have been issued by major professional organizations, including the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The differences in recommendations, in particular about Doppler velocimetry of the ductus venosus and middle cerebral artery, have created confusion among clinicians, and this review has intended to clarify and highlight the available evidence that is pertinent to clinical management. A fetus who is small for gestational age is frequently defined as one with an estimated fetal weight of <10th percentile. This condition has been considered syndromic and has been frequently attributed to fetal growth restriction, a constitutionally small fetus, congenital infections, chromosomal abnormalities, or genetic conditions. Small for gestational age is not synonymous with fetal growth restriction, which is defined by deceleration of fetal growth determined by a change in fetal growth velocity. An abnormal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index reflects an increased impedance to flow in the umbilical circulation and is considered to be an indicator of placental disease. The combined finding of an estimated fetal weight of <10th percentile and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry has been widely accepted as indicative of fetal growth restriction. Clinical studies have shown that the gestational age at diagnosis can be used to subclassify suspected fetal growth restriction into early and late, depending on whether the condition is diagnosed before or after 32 weeks of gestation. The early type is associated with umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities, whereas the late type is often associated with a low pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery. A large randomized clinical trial indicated that in the context of early suspected fetal growth restriction, the combination of computerized cardiotocography and fetal ductus venosus Doppler improves outcomes, such that 95% of surviving infants have a normal neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age. A low middle cerebral artery pulsatility index is associated with an adverse perinatal outcome in late fetal growth restriction; however, there is no evidence supporting its use to determine the time of delivery. Nonetheless, an abnormality in middle cerebral artery Doppler could be valuable to increase the surveillance of the fetus at risk. We propose that fetal size, growth rate, uteroplacental Doppler indices, cardiotocography, and maternal conditions (ie, hypertension) according to gestational age are important factors in optimizing the outcome of suspected fetal growth restriction.
Date Issued
2022-03-01
Date Acceptance
2021-11-22
Citation
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022, 226 (3), pp.366-378
ISSN
0002-9378
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
366
End Page
378
Journal / Book Title
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume
226
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35026129
PII: S0002-9378(21)02586-2
Subjects
Disproportionate Intrauterine Growth Intervention Trial at Term
Doppler velocimetry
Prospective Observational Trial to Optimize Pediatric Health
Trial of Umbilical and Fetal Flow in Europe
abdominal circumference
cardiotocography
cesarean delivery
ductus venosus
fetal biometry
fetal death
fetal distress
fetal growth
longitudinal
middle cerebral artery
neurodevelopmental outcome
randomized controlled trial
short-term variation
small for gestational age
systematic review
umbilical artery Doppler
umbilical artery pH
uterine artery
Female
Fetal Growth Retardation
Fetal Weight
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant
Placenta
Pregnancy
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Umbilical Arteries
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2022-01-10