Stillbirth and fetal growth restriction

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Fetal Medicine
• Perinatology

Background:

• Stillbirth prediction relies heavily on identifying fetal growth restriction (FGR).
• Fetal growth assessment is a cornerstone of clinical practice but presents challenges.
• Fetal growth is determined by the fetus's genetic potential and placental function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of placental function in fetal growth.
• To emphasize fetal growth as an indicator of placental health.
• To underscore the clinical significance of fetal growth assessment in predicting stillbirth.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing evidence on the association between FGR and stillbirth.
• Analysis of the interplay between genetic growth potential and placental function.
• Conceptual framework illustrating fetal growth as a proxy for placental effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Placental dysfunction can impede a fetus from achieving its genetically determined growth potential.
• Aberrations in fetal growth provide indirect insights into placental function.
• Fetal growth serves as a measurable indicator of placental efficiency during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Fetal growth assessment is vital for understanding placental function.
• Effective placental function is essential for normal fetal development and preventing stillbirth.
• Monitoring fetal growth aids in the clinical prediction of stillbirth risk.