Long-Term Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Following Birth in Fetal Growth Restricted Pregnancies

Background & Objective: This study aimed to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes in cases of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Understanding these outcomes is vital for early identification of potential adverse effects and facilitating prompt intervention and management.Materials & Methods: This retrospective cohort study focused on mothers whose fetuses experienced IUGR at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, between March ۲۰۲۱ and ۲۰۲۲. Data on neurodevelopmental and clinical aspects were collected periodically up to ۲۴ months’ post-birth, encompassing various parameters such as infant age, gender, developmental and motor coordination disorders, neurodevelopmental status, medical and speech disorders, and maternal health during pregnancy.Results: Over a one-year period, ۸۰ breastfed infants were studied. At ۶, ۱۲, and ۲۴ months after birth, ۳۰% of children showed growth disorders. Boys had a slightly higher percentage of growth arrest (۷۶.۴% vs. ۶۳.۲%, P>۰.۰۵). Growth retardation was present in ۱۳.۱۶% of girls, compared to none of the boys. The most common medical outcomes were asthma and orthopedic disorders (۵% each). Developmental disorders and motor disorders were the most common neurological and developmental outcomes, each affecting ۱۱.۲۵% of children. During pregnancy, ۱۶.۲۵% had gestational diabetes, ۱۷.۵% had hypertension, and ۱۰% had hypothyroidism, which decreased to ۶.۲۵%, ۱۱.۲۵%, and ۳.۷۵%, respectively, after childbirth.Conclusion: The present study indicates a significant prevalence of growth and developmental disorders, as well as medical outcomes such as asthma and orthopedic issues at the age of two in infants with IUGR. Mothers of these infants also faced significant postpartum issues, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Keywords:

Fetal growth retardation , Growth Curves , Pregnancy Outcome , mothers , Child