Reduced growth velocity across the third trimester is associated with placental insufficiency in fetuses born at a normal birthweight: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: While being small-for-gestational-age due to placental insufficiency is a major risk factor for stillbirth, 50% of stillbirths occur in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA, >10th centile) fetuses. AGA fetuses are plausibly also at risk of stillbirth if placental insufficiency is present. Such fetuses may be expected to demonstrate declining growth trajectory across pregnancy, although they do not fall below the 10th centile before birth. We investigated whether reduced growth velocity in AGA fetuses is associated with antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal indicators of placental insufficiency. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 308 nulliparous women who subsequent..