Prenatal human brain development is not spared by IUGR: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Perinatology

Background:

• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) hinders fetal growth potential, leading to lifelong health issues.
• The brain-sparing effect is a proposed mechanism to protect the brain in IUGR fetuses, but its efficacy is uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review prenatal morphofunctional brain abnormalities in newborns with IUGR.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed for studies published between 2013 and 2024.
• Inclusion criteria focused on newborns (0-1 month) with IUGR, excluding reviews and animal models.
• Seventeen studies involving 2085 newborns (1203 IUGR, 882 appropriate for gestational age) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Individuals with IUGR exhibited biometric, morphological, and cerebral vascular abnormalities.
• These brain abnormalities were present even when head circumference and biparietal diameter were comparable to controls.
• Findings indicate IUGR affects brain development across various subtypes and severities.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal brain development in humans is demonstrably affected by intrauterine growth restriction.
• The brain-sparing effect does not fully protect the developing brain from IUGR-related deficits.