Stage-based approach to the management of fetal growth restriction.
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is among the obstetrical entities with the greatest variation in clinical practice. The first clinically relevant step in the management of FGR is the distinction of 'true' FGR, associated with signs of abnormal feto-placental function and poorer perinatal outcome, from small for gestational age fetuses, which do not present abnormal Doppler and have near normal perinatal outcome. Such distinction should not be only relied on umbilical artery Doppler, as this parameter identifies only severe, early-onset, forms of placental insufficiency. Instead, FGR should be diagnosed in the presence of any of the factors associated with a poorer perinatal outcome, including Doppler cerebroplacental ratio and uterine artery Doppler, a growth centile below the third centile. Upon diagnosis, differentiating into early-onset and late-onset FGR is useful to distinguish two clear phenotypes, with differences in severity, association with preeclampsia, and sequence of fetal deterioration. Finally, management of FGR aims at an optimal balance between minimizing fetal injury or death versus the risks of iatrogenic preterm delivery. We propose a protocol that integrates current evidence to classify stages of fetal deterioration, and establishes follow-up intervals and optimal delivery timings, which may facilitate decision-making and minimize variability in the clinical management.
Barcelona Center of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatology (Hospital Clinic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain.
Francesc
F
Figueras
Eduard
E
Gratacos
D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging