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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Fetal hemodynamics and language skills in primary school-aged children with fetal growth restriction: A longitudinal
Noora Korkalainen1, Lea Partanen2, Juha Räsänen3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Children born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) experiencing prenatal circulatory changes, such as increased umbilical artery resistance and cerebral vasodilatation, show poorer communication and literacy skills. Early detection and support are crucial for their academic development.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Developmental neuroscience
- Pediatric audiology and speech pathology
Background:
- Children born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) often exhibit neurocognitive challenges, particularly in speech, language, and literacy.
- Prenatal circulatory alterations may contribute to these long-term communication and literacy deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal circulatory changes and communication/literacy skills in school-aged children with FGR.
- To determine if specific hemodynamic patterns predict neurocognitive outcomes in FGR survivors.
Main Methods:
- Prenatal ultrasonographic assessment of fetoplacental hemodynamics in 77 fetuses.
- Long-term follow-up (8-10 years) assessing reading, spelling, and language skills (CCC-2) in 37 FGR children and 31 appropriately grown (AGA) controls.
Main Results:
- Increased umbilical artery resistance (UA PI >2 SD) was linked to a 3.5-19.1 increased odds of poor literacy, communication skills, and need for speech therapy.
- Prenatal cerebral vasodilatation (CPR <-2 SD) in FGR infants correlated with significantly poorer literacy and communication skills (OR 4.2-28.1).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal circulatory abnormalities, including umbilical artery resistance and cerebral vasodilatation, are associated with impaired communication, language, and literacy in FGR children.
- These findings highlight the necessity for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions for FGR children to optimize academic achievement.
Aim:
Long-term follow-up studies on children born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) have revealed a specific profile of neurocognitive difficulties, including problems with speech, language and literacy skills. We hypothesized that problems with communication skills, including language use and literacy skills of FGR children at primary school age are associated with prenatal circulatory changes.
Methods:
Ultrasonographic assessment of fetoplacental hemodynamics was performed prenatally in 77 fetuses. After a follow-up period of 8-10 years, assessment of reading and spelling skills using standardized tests and the Children's Communication Questionnaire (CCC-2) was performed to measure different language skills in 37 FGR children and 31 appropriately grown (AGA) controls, matched for gestational age.
Results:
Increased blood flow resistance in the umbilical artery (UA PI >2 SD) during fetal life showed odds ratios of 3.5-19.1 for poor literacy and communication skills and need for speech and language therapy. Furthermore, FGR children with prenatal cerebral vasodilatation (cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) < -2 SD) had significantly poorer literacy and communication skills, at primary school age compared to the AGA controls. Abnormal CPR demonstrated odds ratios of 4.2-28.1 for poor literacy and communication skills and need for speech and language therapy.
Conclusion:
Increased blood flow resistance in the umbilical artery and cerebral vasodilatation are associated with poor communication, language, and literacy skills at early school age in children born with FGR. These findings indicate the need for continuous follow-up of this group and timely targeted support to ensure optimal academic outcomes.
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