Fetal growth retardation and pre-eclampsia

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication.
• Fetal growth retardation (FGR) is a known adverse pregnancy outcome.
• The relationship between pre-eclampsia subtypes and FGR requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of fetal growth retardation (FGR) in patients with pre-eclampsia.
• To compare FGR rates in early-onset versus late-onset pre-eclampsia.
• To explore potential preceding factors and associated complications in pre-eclampsia with FGR.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2434 patients with pre-eclampsia.
• Comparison of FGR prevalence between pre-eclamptic patients and the general hospital population.
• Analysis of subnormal oestriol excretion and hypoglycemia in relation to FGR and pre-eclampsia onset.
• Assessment of placental abruption and perinatal death rates in specific pre-eclampsia subgroups.

Main Results:

• Fetal growth retardation (FGR) prevalence was 8.7% in pre-eclampsia patients, similar to the general population (8.6%).
• Early-onset pre-eclampsia showed a significantly higher FGR prevalence (18.2%) compared to late-onset (5.6%).
• Subnormal oestriol excretion (79.5%) and hypoglycemia (33.3%) were more common in early-onset pre-eclampsia with FGR, suggesting FGR preceded clinical signs.
• Pregnancies with early-onset pre-eclampsia and FGR had significantly higher rates of placental abruption (8.3%) and perinatal deaths (28.7%).

Conclusions:

• Fetal growth retardation is significantly more prevalent in early-onset pre-eclampsia.
• Biochemical markers and hypoglycemia may indicate FGR preceding clinical pre-eclampsia diagnosis.
• Early-onset pre-eclampsia with FGR is associated with severe adverse outcomes, including placental abruption and perinatal mortality.