Perinatal outcomes of fetal growth restriction between late preterm and term birth infants

Objective To estimate the absolute increase in the risk for adverse neonatal outcomes of fetal growth restriction between late preterm and term birth and to identify risk factors for neonatal morbidity among late preterm and term birth infants. Methods A retrospective review of 2,954 singleton infant between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation born at our hospital over the 5 years were enrolled and they were divided into four groups as late preterm small for gestational age (SGA), late preterm adequate for gestational age (AGA), term SGA and term AGA, respectively. The prenatal ultrasonographic findings between SGA and AGA in late preterm birth were assessed. Maternal and neonatal complications were compared with SGA and AGA between late preterm and term birth infants. The statistical analyses for frequencies and relative risks in each group were calculated by SPSS ver. 19.0. Results In prenatal evaluation between SGA and AGA in late preterm birth, amniotic fluid volume, abdominal circumference and umbilical artery Doppler resistance index value were different significantly ( P<0.001). Preeclampsia and oligohydramnios were found more common in SGA of late preterm birth compared with AGA of term birth. Jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, congenital anomalies, hypoglycemia, and germinal matrix`s hemorrhage, occurred more frequent in SGA of late preterm birth than in AGA of term birth. Conclusion Not only adequate prenatal evaluation and obstetrical decision-making but also long-term evaluation are needed to improve perinatal outcomes of growth restricted infants in late preterm birth.