[Second trimester growth restriction and underlying fetal anomalies]. / Retard de croissance intra-utérin du deuxième trimestre : malformations associées et syndromes sous-jacents.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, syndromic association and fetal defects associated with second trimester fetal growth restriction (FGR) in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all cases referred between 14 and 27 weeks with an abdominal circumference (AC)<5(th) centile between 2008 and 2012. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. Medical records were retrieved to look for the presence of associated malformations, aneuploidy and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 8626 fetuses had ultrasonographic examination between 14 and 27 weeks. Of these, there were 239 cases (2.8%) with evidence of FGR as based on AC measurement. Thirty-seven fetuses had an abnormal karyotype or an identified syndromic association (15%). The most common chromosomal defect was Trisomy 18 (10 cases, 4.2%), 67 had at least one associated morphological abnormality without aneuploidy or syndromic association (28%). Most common associated abnormalities were relative short femur (5%), omphalocele (5%) and gastroschisis (4%). Last 135 cases were isolated fetal growth retardation (5%). Maternal age was higher (33 yr ± 5 yr versus 31 yr ± 5.6 yr, P < 0.01) and the z-score for the AC lower (2.5 ± 1 versus 2.15 ± 0.6) in the group with abnormal karyotype or syndromic association than in the group without associated malformation. Amniotic fluid was more often increased in the group with an abnormal karyotype or associated malformation (14% and 17%) than in the group without malformations (0%, P < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study describes abnormalities and outcomes associated with second trimester fetal growth retardation in a large population of patients. Our results suggest that the absence of associated malformation, degree of growth restriction, maternal age and the amniotic fluid index may help in the prenatal management and counseling of this high risk population.