title: Antenatal surveillance of fetal growth restriction.
abstract: Fetal growth restriction is a complex problem in modern obstetrics. It is a condition of suboptimal fetal growth based on a genetically predetermined potential and affects approximately 5% to 10% of pregnancies. It is traditionally defined as an estimated fetal weight less than the 10th percentile. Those pregnancies that are affected by growth restriction are associated with increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Because of this increased risk, these pregnancies are monitored more closely to try to identify those fetuses at the greatest risk of fetal demise and initiate delivery before this critical event. Although the ideal management strategy is still being determined, there are several modalities available to assist in assessment of the growth-restricted fetus. These include the nonstress test test, biophysical profile, and Doppler velocimetry, most commonly of the fetal umbilical artery, in addition to sonographic growth assessment. The use of multiple fetal assessment tools may help improve the prediction of adverse outcomes and initiate delivery before cardiovascular collapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Jennifer.l.thompson@dm.duke.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kuller
authors.forename: Eleanor H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D001703:Biophysics; D015148:Cardiotocography; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000032:analysis; D012077:Renal Artery; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A