Why we miss fetal growth restriction: Identification of risk factors for severely growth-restricted fetuses remaining undelivered by 40 weeks gestation

Abstract

Background: Severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a leading cause of adverse perinatal morbidity and mortality; however, in Victoria, 35% of severely growth-restricted infants are undelivered by 40 weeks gestation. Aims: We aimed to identify factors associated with failure to deliver severely growth-restricted fetuses by 40 weeks gestation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of term singletons born <3rd centile for gestation at a single tertiary centre (2010–2017). Infants with a planned delivery for FGR between 37.0–39.6 weeks gestation (‘planned birth’ group; n = 187) were compared with those undelivered by 40.0 weeks (‘undelivered’ group; n = 233). Variables asses..