CONTRIBUTIONWhat are the novel findings of this work? This population-based study reports a smaller protective effect against stillbirth of detection of fetal growth restriction (FGR) than previous studies, with over 40% of stillbirths among small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses occurring despite detection of FGR.
What are the clinical implications of this work?In the context of universal ultrasound screening, these findings raise the possibility that routine examination may be less efficacious than is sonography indicated based on risk-factor criteria. They call into question focusing solely on improving detection of FGR without addressing management post-detection. Preventive strategies targeting all stillbirths may ultimately have a larger impact on the risks of SGA-related as well as other stillbirths.
ABSTRACTObjectives Antenatal surveillance of intrauterine growth aims to detect growth-restricted fetuses (FGR), which face increased risk of stillbirth. Improving their detection could be an effective strategy for prevention of stillbirth. The French REPERE study was conducted to estimate the association between antenatal detection of FGR and risk of stillbirth.Methods REPERE is a case-control study performed in three French districts with a combined total of approximately 30 000 births annually. Cases were singleton small-for-gestational-age (SGA) stillbirths ≥ 24 weeks' gestation and without severe congenital anomaly, between 2012 and 2014, identified using a population-based stillbirth registry; controls were live births fulfilling the same Results During the study period, there were 92 182 births ≥ 22 weeks' gestation, including 669 stillbirths, of which 79 were singleton SGA stillbirths ≥ 24 weeks and without severe congenital anomaly. Of these cases, 44.3% (35/79) had FGR detected, compared with a detection rate of 36.2% in controls (154/426). The crude OR expressing the association between detection of FGR and risk of stillbirth was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.3) and the OR adjusted for parity, presence of risk factors for FGR, presence of vascular disorder and birth-weight percentile was 0.6 (95% CI, 0.3-1.0). Among deliveries ≥ 28 weeks, detection rates were 38.3% vs 36.0% for cases and controls, with an adjusted OR of 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2-1.0).Conclusion Antenatal detection of FGR was protective against stillbirth, but over 40% of stillbirths among SGA