Interaction between risk factors for fetal growth retardation associated with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies.
BACKGROUND
The role of antenatal risk factors associated with the occurrence of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies has not yet been studied extensively. We evaluated the role and the interactions of antenatal antecedents of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery end-diastolic velocities.


METHODS
We compared antenatal variables in 183 pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies and 549 appropriately grown fetuses with normal end-diastolic velocity waveform in the umbilical artery. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between antenatal variables and fetal growth retardation and to test for interaction.


RESULTS
In logistic models, increasing maternal age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.11], nulliparity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.37-3.5), smoking during pregnancy (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.56-4.22), preeclampsia (OR 27.5, 95% CI 15.1-49.9), first-trimester hemorrhage (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.32-3.82) and low (< 0.2 kg/week) weight gain in pregnancy (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.71-3.05) were significantly associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal Doppler studies. These risk factors were also significantly correlated with the occurrence of absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. Maternal smoking during pregnancy interacted negatively with preeclampsia but positively with a low weight gain in pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study have shown that antenatal risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) complicated by abnormal Doppler studies are similar to those associated with the birth of a small-for-gestational-age infant. Preeclampsia, maternal smoking and low weight gain in pregnancy play a significant causal role in the origin of fetal growth restriction associated with abnormal uteroplacental blood flow.
Spinillo
Arsenio
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. spinillo@smatteo.pv.it
Bergante
Carola
C
Gardella
Barbara
B
Mainini
Roberta
R
Montanari
Laura
L
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D015430:Weight Gain