Is Fetal Growth Restriction in Preeclampsia a Reliable Predictor of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes?

Aim: This study aims to investigate if fetal growth restriction in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia can predict adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. The study population included pregnant women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia who gave birth at the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Queen Geraldine" of Tirana from January to December 2023. They were categorized into two groups: the group of pre-eclampsia associated with fetal growth restriction and the group of preeclampsia without fetal growth restriction. Data were collected from the medical records and were analyzed for obstetrical and neonatal outcomes using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 27. Results: The sample included 189 pregnant women, The group of patients of preeclampsia associated with FGR (46 cases) had significantly lower gestational age at delivery (35.54 vs. 37.18 weeks), lower birth weights (1919.5 vs. 3053g.), more perinatal deaths (12.90% vs. 2.27%), more stillbirths (32.60% vs. 7.69%), more preterm births before 34 weeks (41.30% vs. 20.27%), more cesarean deliveries (65.21% vs. 46.85%), more patients with HELLP syndrome (13.04% vs. 3.49%), more neonates with Apgar scores Conclusions: This study highlights the significant impact of fetal growth restriction on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. Our analysis shows that fetal growth restriction in patients with pre-eclampsia could predict worse pregnancy outcomes. The prevention, detection, and treatment of fetal growth restriction might have important positive reflections on public health. Keywords: pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, pregnancy complications