Prenatal prediction of very late onset small-for-gestational age newborns in low-risk pregnancies

• Published in: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine 2022-12, Vol.35 (25), p.9816-9820
• Main Authors: Martín-Palumbo, Giovanna, Duque Alcorta, Marta, Atanasova, Vangeliya Blagoeva, Rego Tejeda, María Teresa, Antolín Alvarado, Eugenia, Bartha, José Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: mean uterine artery pulsatility index; placental growth factor; Small-for-gestational age; soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1; third trimester scan
• ISSN: 1476-7058; 1476-4954
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2022.2054322

Prompt identification and correct management of late onset small-for-gestational age newborns can reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Given the limitations of current monitoring methods, additional strategies are needed. Besides ultrasound to monitor fetal growth, third trimester Doppler and serum measurement of angiogenic biomarkers, such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor, have been proposed as promising predictors of late onset small-for-gestational age fetuses. To find a multivariate model for predicting small-for-gestational age newborns at 36 weeks' gestation by using clinical, biochemical and ultrasound measurements. We evaluated 564 low-risk pregnant women and recorded maternal age, maternal body mass index, maternal mean blood pressure, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (multiples of the median), placental growth factor (multiples of the median), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor ratio, estimated fetal weight centile and mean uterine artery pulsatility index at 36 weeks. Binary logistic regression was used. Statistical significance was set at 95% level (p