Doppler abnormalities and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with early-onset fetal growth restriction

Objective To compare Doppler alterations and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women who evolved with early- and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR). Methods A retrospective, observational cohort study with pregnant women who evolved with FGR treated between January 2018 and April 2019, in which all live births from singleton pregnancies, over 24 weeks, with FGR ultrasound diagnosis and under 2700 g weight were included in the study. Results Pregnancies with early-onset FGR were more associated with hypertensive disorders (p = .00) and placental vascular insufficiency, resulting in a high degree of umbilical artery Doppler involvement (p = .00) in a short period of pregnancy and higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes (p = .00). The time of prenatal follow-up of early- and late-onset FGR cases was similar, but the degree of prematurity of the former made the evolution more unfavorable. Conclusion Early-onset FGR had a lower prevalence but was associated with higher maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality than late-onset FGR.

Automated summary

Early-onset FGR is more likely to be associated with hypertensive disorders and placental vascular insufficiency, leading to higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes compared to late-onset FGR.