title: Is it necessary to induce labor in cases of intrauterine growth restriction at term?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have increased morbidity and mortality. The decision whether to induce labor at term or to expectantly manage these pregnancies is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of these two management strategies in term pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cohort study compared neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality of IUGR fetuses (estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile) between induced and spontaneous labors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Records of 669 IUGR newborns were reviewed; 499 were delivered through spontaneous labor and 170 were delivered through induced labor. Epidemiology and early perinatal outcomes between the two groups were similar. The cesarean section rate was significantly higher (P<0.005) in the induced group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expectant management for term IUGR pregnancies seems to be safe, with lower rates of cesarean deliveries. A large, prospective, randomized controlled trial with long-term neonatal follow-up is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shavit
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ashual
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Regev
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sadeh
authors.forename: Moshe D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Fejgin
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Biron-Shental
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007751:Labor, Induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth; D055815:Young Adult