Impact of fetal growth restriction on pregnancy outcome in women undergoing expectant management for preterm pre-eclampsia

C A Cluver* (Corresponding Author), L Bergman, J Bergkvist, H Imberg, L Geerts, D R Hall, B W Mol, S Tong, S P Walker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether coexisting fetal growth restriction (FGR) influences pregnancy latency among women with preterm pre-eclampsia undergoing expectant management. Secondary outcomes assessed were indication for delivery, mode of delivery and rate of serious adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Pre-eclampsia Intervention (PIE) and the Pre-eclampsia Intervention 2 (PI2) trial data. These randomized controlled trials evaluated whether esomeprazole and metformin could prolong gestation of women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation undergoing expectant management. Delivery indications were deteriorating maternal or fetal status, or reaching 34 weeks' gestation. FGR (defined by Delphi consensus) at the time of pre-eclampsia diagnosis was examined as a predictor of outcome. Only placebo data from PI2 were included, as the trial showed that metformin use was associated with prolonged gestation. All outcome data were collected prospectively from diagnosis of pre-eclampsia to 6 weeks after the expected due date.

RESULTS: Of the 202 women included, 92 (45.5%) had FGR at the time of pre-eclampsia diagnosis. Median pregnancy latency was 6.8 days in the FGR group and 15.3 days in the control group (difference 8.5 days; adjusted 0.49-fold change (95% CI, 0.33-0.74); P < 0.001). FGR pregnancies were less likely to reach 34 weeks' gestation (12.0% vs 30.9%; adjusted relative risk (aRR), 0.44 (95% CI, 0.23-0.83)) and more likely to be delivered for suspected fetal compromise (64.1% vs 36.4%; aRR, 1.84 (95% CI, 1.36-2.47)). More women with FGR underwent a prelabor emergency Cesarean section (66.3% vs 43.6%; aRR, 1.56 (95% CI, 1.20-2.03)) and were less likely to have a successful induction of labor (4.3% vs 14.5%; aRR, 0.32 (95% CI, 0.10-1.00)), compared to those without FGR. The rate of maternal complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. FGR was associated with a higher rate of infant death (14.1% vs 4.5%; aRR, 3.26 (95% CI, 1.08-9.81)) and need for intubation and mechanical ventilation (15.2% vs 5.5%; aRR, 2.97 (95% CI, 1.11-7.90)).

CONCLUSION: FGR is commonly present in women with early preterm pre-eclampsia and outcome is poorer. FGR is associated with shorter pregnancy latency, more emergency Cesarean deliveries, fewer successful inductions and increased rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)660-667
Number of pages8
JournalUltrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume62
Issue number5
Early online date8 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Bibliographical note

This work was supported by The Geoff and Helen Handbury Foundation, The Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation , The Mercy Health Foundation, The Kilvington Trust, Peter Joseph Pappas research program, The Preeclampsia Foundation, The South African Medical Research Council self-initiated research grants program and the Swedish Medical Society (SLS-934559). The National Health and Medical Research Foundation of Australia provided salary support to ST. CC received the Discovery Academic Fellowship and the South African Medical Association PhD Bursary. The funders had no role in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data, in the writing of the report or in the decision to submit this article for publication.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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