Preconception maternal retinal arteriolar narrowing and fetal growth throughout pregnancy: A prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between preconception maternal retinal arteriolar calibre and fetal growth.Design, setting and populationA hospital-based, prospective preconception cohort including 369 women with a singleton live birth.MethodsWe collected detailed information on sociodemographic status, pregnancy history and lifestyle, and performed retinal imaging at the preconception visit.Main outcome measuresWe retrieved medical records documenting fetal growth biometrics (e.g., abdominal circumference [AC], head circumference [HC], femur length [FL]) at 11-13, 18-21, 24-28, and 32-34 weeks throughout pregnancy. We then computed the z scores for all fetal growth biometrics from 14 weeks of gestation where data were available, referencing the INTERGROWTH-21st fetal growth chart. We used a linear mixed model to estimate the association between maternal preconception retinal arteriolar calibre and fetal growth biometrics z scores throughout pregnancy, with random intercept accounting for repeated measures within individuals. We then performed a multivariable linear regression of maternal preconception retinal arteriolar calibre and z score changes for all fetal growth biometrics between 24-28 weeks and 32-34 weeks of gestation, after full adjustment.ResultsMaternal preconception generalised retinal arteriolar narrowing was consistently associated with a reduction in fetal AC z scores (-0.34; 95% CI -0.66 to -0.03) throughout pregnancy. In addition, women with preconception generalised retinal arteriolar narrowing tended to have significantly reduced z score changes in AC (-0.41; 95% CI -0.90 to -0.001) and fetal FL (-0.55; 95% CI -1.00 to -0.10) between 24-28 weeks and 32-34 weeks of gestation, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that women with narrower preconception retinal arterioles had smaller fetuses, evidenced by reductions in AC and FL z score throughout pregnancy.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal preconception retinal arteriolar caliber and fetal growth. Retinal imaging was performed on 369 women with a singleton live birth and detailed information was collected. The study found that maternal preconception retinal arteriolar narrowing was associated with reduced fetal abdominal circumference and femur length. These findings suggest that preconception retinal arteriolar narrowing may indicate restricted fetal growth.