Pregnancy Outcomes of Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Authors

• Duaa M. Bahkali, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Sarah M. Ghazali, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Rwdyn R. Nujoom, Medical Intern, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Follow
• Yasmeen S. Alghamdi, Medical Intern, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Reyof T. Aljuhani, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Rahf A. Alharbi, Medical Intern, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Taif H. Mubarak, Preventive Medicine Resident, Jeddah Second Health Cluster, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Kienaz H. Alshobaki, Medical Intern, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Nedaa Bahkali, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Early-onset fetal growth restriction occurs before 32 weeks of gestation and increases the risk of hypoxia, preterm birth, and perinatal mortality. Early detection using Doppler velocimetry in high-risk pregnancies reduces complications, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention to improve fetal outcomes.
Objectives: To assess newborn outcomes in cases of early-onset fetal growth restriction and how they relate to clinical variables and Doppler ultrasonography results.
Methods: This retrospective study included 158 patients with records of deliveries at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Independent t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < .05, were performed.
Results: Participants were evenly assigned to the control (n = 79) and intrauterine growth restriction (n = 79) groups. Maternal age was similar (control: mean [standard deviation] 31.32 [6.8] years; intrauterine growth restriction: 31.42 [6.91] years, p = .926). Gestational age was significantly lower (32 [4] vs. 36 [4] weeks, p < .001), emergency cesarean section was more common (48 [64.9%] vs. 26 [35.1%], p < .001), neonatal intensive care unit admissions were higher (61 [67.0%], p < .001), and the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were lower (p = .002 and p = .006, respectively) in the intrauterine growth restriction group than that in controls. Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings were frequently observed in the intrauterine growth restriction group (63.6%). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant predictors of neonatal survival (p > .05).
Conclusion: Lower gestational age, more emergency cesarean sections, more neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and more neonatal problems are among the maternal and neonatal outcomes linked to early-onset intrauterine growth restriction. The intrauterine growth restriction group showed unusual Doppler findings in the umbilical artery. Prompt detection and careful observation are required to improve such findings.

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Recommended Citation

Bahkali, Duaa M.; Ghazali, Sarah M.; Nujoom, Rwdyn R.; Alghamdi, Yasmeen S.; Aljuhani, Reyof T.; Alharbi, Rahf A.; Mubarak, Taif H.; Alshobaki, Kienaz H.; and Bahkali, Nedaa (2026) "Pregnancy Outcomes of Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Single-Center Retrospective Study," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences: Vol. 33: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4279.1033

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