Impact of Intended Mode of Delivery on Outcomes in Preterm Growth-Restricted Fetuses

Scheduled cesarean is frequently performed for fetal growth restriction due to concerns for fetal intolerance of labor.

We compared neonatal outcomes in preterm growth-restricted fetuses by intended mode of delivery.

We performed a retrospective cohort study of indicated preterm births with prenatally diagnosed growth restriction from 2011 to 2014 at a single institution. Patients were classified by intended mode of delivery. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes, including perinatal death, cord blood acidemia, chest compressions during neonatal resuscitation, seizures, culture-proven sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and grade III-IV intraventricular hemorrhage. Secondary analysis was performed examining the impact of umbilical artery Dopplers.

Of 101 fetuses with growth restriction, 75 underwent planned cesarean deliveries. Of those induced, 46.2% delivered vaginally. Delivery by scheduled cesarean was not associated with a decreased risk of the composite outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-5.78), even when only those with abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers were considered (aOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 0.40-20.2).

In this cohort, planned cesarean was not associated with a reduction in neonatal morbidity, even when considering only those with abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers. In otherwise appropriate candidates for vaginal delivery, fetal growth restriction should not be considered a contraindication to trial of labor.