Clinical Correlates of Placental Pathologic Features in Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between placental pathologic features of maternal (MVM) or fetal (FVM) vascular malperfusion and clinical characteristics, sonographic findings and neonatal outcome in a cohort of pregnancies complicated by early-onset (diagnosed before 32 weeks of gestational age) fetal growth restriction (FGR). METHODS: A prospective cohort study included 250 singleton early-onset FGR pregnancies diagnosed, followed up and delivered at a single center. Placental pathologic lesions were classified according to standard recommendations. Logistic regression and Cox analysis were used to evaluate outcomes adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Overall features of severe placental MVM and FVM were observed in 29.6% (74/250) and 12.8% (32/250) of the subjects, respectively. Severe placental MVM lesions were more common among subjects with umbilical artery Doppler Pulsatility Index >95th than ≤95th percentile (50/120 as opposed to 24/130, Adj odds ratio [OR] = 3, 95% CI = 1.6-5.4) and Cerebroplacental ratio <5th than ≥5th percentile (48/115 as opposed to 26/135, Adj OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.5-4.9). Mean time from FGR diagnosis to delivery was shorter among subjects with severe MVM (25.5 days, 95% CI = 20.6-30.2, Adj. OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.5) when compared to both those with mild/moderate MVM (36.5 days [95% CI = 27.2-45, p = 0.04]) or no MVM (39.4, 95% CI = 35.4-43.4, p < 0.001). Finally, severe FVM was associated with an increased risk of perinatal/neonatal death or severe brain lesions (9/28 in subjects with perinatal/neonatal death/brain lesions as compared to 23/222 in controls, Adj OR = 3, 95% CI = 1.05-8.6) or severe adverse neonatal outcomes (13/46 in subjects with severe adverse outcome as compared to 19/204 among controls, Adj OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.2-8.5). CONCLUSIONS: In early-onset FGR, placental pathologic features of MVM and FVM are, in different regards, associated to severity of clinical picture, abnormal Doppler markers of placental and fetal circulation and of neonatal outcome, respectively.