Slowed Fetal Growth Trajectory & Neonatal Outcomes

The ACOG defines FGR as fetuses with an estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference that is less than the 10th percentile for gestational age (ACOG PB 227). BUT, some argue against this cut off. There may be a subgroup of AGA fetuses with placental insufficiency who display slowing of fetal growth trajectory while in utero, but do not end up with a birthweight <10th centile at term, and so not classed as FGR. Such a cohort that has declined in weight centiles in late pregnancy may be an important under-recognized group with sub-optimal placental function. Growth velocity represents the rate of fetal growth in a specific time interval and may have more clinical utility to distinguish normal from pathological fetal growth and may help to identify fetal growth abnormalities that are abnormal yet still above the crucial 10% cut off. So in this episode we're going to focus on this very question... what do we do with those fetuses that we find have plateaued or have slowed trajectories of fetal growth antepartum but are still above the 10th percentile. It's a common clinical conundrum. This podcast idea comes from one of our podcast family members who reached out for this very reason. Lauren, thank you for your message, here's your podcast.