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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Temporal Changes in Fetal and Maternal Parameters in Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Multicenter,
Mette van de Meent1, Ewoud Schuit2, Wessel Ganzevoort3,4
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Objective(S):
Timing of birth is complex in early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) and the literature is limited regarding the exact sequence of changes in antenatal parameters. This study aimed to examine this sequence in a large early-onset FGR cohort.
Design:
Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.
Setting:
Six tertiary care hospitals in the Netherlands.
Population:
A post hoc analysis of the OPtimal TIming of antenatal COrticosteroids in early-onset fetal growth REstriction (OPTICORE) study was performed.
Methods:
Repeated measures of antenatal parameters were assessed routinely from diagnosis to birth. Mixed-effects models were used to determine the probability of abnormality (binary) and the trend (Z-score, continuous) over time for each parameter (< 32 and ≥ 32 weeks).
Main Outcome Measures:
The time sequence of changes in fetal and maternal health parameters from diagnosis to birth in early-onset FGR pregnancies.
Results:
A total of 1453 patients were included, of whom 1025 patients gave birth < 32 weeks and 428 ≥ 32 weeks, with median gestational ages of 29 + 3 weeks (IQR 27 + 6, 30 + 5) and 34 + 4 weeks (IQR 33 + 0, 37 + 0), respectively. The most apparent changes in fetal parameters in the last days preceding birth comprised: absent/reversed end-diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery and cardiotocography abnormalities. Regarding maternal parameters, an increased probability of antihypertensive agent(s) use was seen shortly preceding birth < 32 weeks.
Conclusion(S):
This large cohort of early-onset FGR pregnancies provides a time sequence of fetal and maternal health parameters from diagnosis to birth, which could inform clinical management.
