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Fetal growth restriction – current options for prenatal diagnosis and management during pregnancy

Czech version

Authors: A. Jouzová 1,2;  Z. Mikulenková 1,2;  L. Kostka 1,2;  L. Salyková 3;  L. Hruban 1,2,4
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno 1;  Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno 2;  Neonatologické oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno 3;  Ústav zdravotních věd, Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno 4
Published in: Čes-slov Neonat 2025; 31 (1): 10-17.
Category: Reviews

Overview

Fetal growth restriction – current options for prenatal diagnosis and management during pregnancy

Fetal growth restriction is defined as the inability of a fetus to achieve its genetic growth potential, most commonly due to placental dysfunction. It is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and intrauterine fetal death. In newborns, it is associated with a range of respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological complications. Depending on the time of onset, the development of the condition, and the likely etiology, fetal growth restriction can be differentiated into two phenotypes: early and late growth restriction. Distinct clinical, ultrasound, and pathologic features characterize these conditions. Over the past two 2 decades, significant advancements have been made in prenatal diagnostics, with modern ultrasound technology, biochemical markers, and advanced screening methods allowing early detection of fetuses with growth restriction, especially of the early type, in a high percentage of cases. The early and detailed diagnosis of pregnancy with fetal growth restriction allows the setting up of adequate procedures with the possibility of detailed multidisciplinary consultation with parents already in the prenatal period, which is of crucial importance in the prevention of severe complications associated with this diagnosis.

Keywords:

screening – preeclampsia – fetal growth restriction – ultrasound diagnostics – placental dysfunction

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Czech and Slovak Neonatology

2025 Issue 1
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