Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
Published on: January 7, 2018
[Intrauterine growth retardation and the developing brain]
A Phan Duy1, F El Khabbaz, C Renolleau
1Inserm U676, service de réanimation et pédiatrie néonatales, hôpital Robert-Debré, AP-HP, université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75019 Paris, France.
Insights
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 5-12% of pregnancies, impacting fetal brain development and increasing risks for lifelong health issues. Accurate identification via customized growth curves is crucial for timely intervention and improved neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Biology
Context:
- Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of perinatal complications, second only to prematurity.
- It affects 5-12% of pregnancies and is often misdiagnosed as constitutionally small for gestational age.
- Accurate identification of pathological FGR is vital due to risks of intrauterine demise, chronic hypoxia, and impaired brain development.
Purpose:
- To highlight the importance of identifying true fetal growth restriction using customized growth curves.
- To emphasize the link between fetal growth patterns, perinatal management, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To underscore the need for further research on the neurodevelopmental effects of FGR and optimal intervention strategies.
Summary:
- Fetal growth restriction, distinct from being small for gestational age, requires identification using customized growth curves to detect pathological growth slowing or cessation.
- Prenatal markers and growth kinetics inform decisions regarding fetal extraction, gestational age at birth, and potential neurodevelopmental impacts.
- Short-term cognitive, motor, and behavioral issues associated with FGR may persist into adulthood, alongside an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
Impact:
- Improved identification of fetuses at risk allows for optimized perinatal care and timely interventions.
- Understanding FGR's effects on brain development can refine fetal extraction decisions and C-section timing.
- Long-term monitoring with neurocognitive tools is essential to evaluate interventions and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in affected children.
Abstract:
Fetal growth restriction is the second leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, behind prematurity, and is present in 5-12% of all pregnancies in the general population. Often confused with children constitutionally small for gestational age, those who had not achieved their potential for fetal growth and therefore having true growth restriction can be identified using customized growth curves. The point is to accurately identify fetuses with slowing growth or cessation of growth reflecting a pathological process, because these are at risk of death in utero or chronic fetal hypoxia with a significant impact on brain development. The kinetics of growth and prenatal markers of fetal growth restriction will influence the decision to extract the fetus and the gestational age at birth, as well as other factors involved in the neurodevelopmental outcome. Cognitive deficits and executive, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions described in the short term seem to persist together with greater risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Decisions of fetal extraction by C-section continue to be debated until new epidemiological data will be available on large cohorts monitored over the long term using accurate neurocognitive tools. Understanding the effects of fetal growth restriction on the structure and function of the developing brain is essential for improving the relevance of fetal extraction decisions, perinatal care, and early evaluation of treatments for the prevention of neurodevelopmental disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:22Gut-Brain Axis