title: Tracking of fetal growth characteristics during different trimesters and the risks of adverse birth outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fetal growth characteristics are used to identify influences of several maternal characteristics and to identify individuals at increased risk of adverse outcomes. The extent to which fetal growth characteristics track in different trimesters is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a population-based prospective cohort study among 8636 pregnant women, we examined the extent to which fetal growth characteristics track, are influenced by maternal socio-demographic and lifestyle related determinants and are associated with birth outcomes. Fetal growth was assessed in each trimester and at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correlation coefficient between first-trimester crown-rump length and birthweight was r = 0.12 (P-value < 0.05). Correlation coefficients for fetal-head circumference, (femur) length and (estimated) fetal weight ranged from r = 0.16 to r = 0.30 (all P-values < 0.05) between second trimester and birth and from r = 0.36 to r = 0.58 (all P-values < 0.05) between third trimester and birth, and were highest for (estimated) fetal weight. Correlation coefficients for (estimated) fetal weight tended to be lower among overweight mothers, as compared with normal weight mothers, but were not influenced by other maternal characteristics. First, second and third-trimester fetal growth characteristics were associated with risks of preterm birth and small size for gestational age at birth,with the strongest associations present in third trimester.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal growth characteristics track moderately throughout gestation, with stronger tracking coefficients present in later pregnancy. Tracking coefficients were not materially influenced by maternal socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. First, second and third trimester fetal growth characteristics were associated with the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsGeneration R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsGeneration R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric Ap
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Jongste
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsGeneration R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsGeneration R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Vincent Wv
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020567:Fetal Weight; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fetal growth; cohort study; preterm birth; small size for gestational age; tracking