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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
Placental weight and size in relation to fetal growth restriction: a case-control study
Hong-Jiao Liu1,2, Peng-Cheng Liu3, Jing Hua1
1Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
Reductions in placental weight and size have been associated with reduced fetal growth. However, few studies have examined the association of placental weight and size with the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR).
Methods:
We enrolled 121 mother-newborn pairs, including 54 FGR cases and 67 healthy controls, from our previous case-control study. The weight, surface area, and thickness of the placenta were measured by medical professionals.
Results:
Reduced placental weight and surface area were found to be associated with decreased birth weight. A 10-unit decrement in placental weight (g) and surface area (cm2) was associated with 33.9 (β = 33.9, 95% CI, 22.1-45.7) and 24.3 (β = 24.3, 95% CI, 11.2-37.5) g decrease in birth weight, respectively. Those associations varied by infant gender and the magnitudes of effect were larger among male fetuses. Moreover, reduced placental weight and surface area were associated with increased odds of FGR. A 10-unit decrease in placental weight and surface area were associated with 21% (OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 1.08-1.44) and 19% (OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 1.06-1.41) increase in the odds of FGR.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that fetuses with lower placental weight and smaller surface area are at higher risk of developing FGR.
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