Abstract

Introduction: Large for gestational age and macrosomia are known risk factors of adverse perinatal outcome. Less is known on the association between accelerated growth velocity and placental insufficiency which results in such adverse outcomes as intrauterine death, reduced Apgar scores and cesarean section for fetal distress. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of accelerated growth velocity (AGV) and its relationship with adverse perinatal outcome. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. The study included singleton deliveries that had an ultrasound performed between 28-32 weeks of gestation and subsequently delivered at our maternity unit. We defined appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) as between the 10-90th centile, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) as above the 90th centile, by the Intergrowth chart. Accelerated growth velocity was defined as increase by at least 50 centiles between birthweight and estimated fetal weight on ultrasound at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Composite neonatal outcome, intrauterine fetal death and neonatal death were assessed in the following groups: LGA, LGA+AGV, AGA+AGV, AGA. Results: The final database of combined ultrasound and delivery records comprised of 2209 records (AGA n=1688, AGA+AGV n=86, LGA n=391, LGA+AGV n=44; 88.56%, 4.51%, 20.51%, 2.31% respectively). The highest risk of APO was in AGA neonates with AGV 26.74%, followed by LGA with AGV 18,18%. The lowest risk of APO was among LGA neonates 16.37%. Conclusions: The role of accelerated growth velocity needs further assessment. The highest risk of APO is among AGA neonates with AGV. This could be explained by the disproportion between fetal and placental size resulting in placental insufficiency.

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