Evaluation of the Relationship Between Fetal Growth Rate and Prognosis Among Fetuses with Fetal Growth Restriction in Southwest Iran

Background & Objective: Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in fetuses and newborns, affecting their ability to reach their full growth potential. This study aims to investigate the association between fetal growth rates and outcomes among fetuses affected by FGR in Southwest Iran.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted over six months, from February to August 2023, and involved 226 women diagnosed with fetal growth restriction at health centers in Ahvaz, Iran. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, and data were collected using a comprehensive checklist. For data analysis, Student’s t-test, the chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were used.Results: The study revealed that among fetuses with FGR, 158 cases (69.9%) exhibited an inappropriate growth rate. Compared with fetuses with appropriate growth rates, those with inappropriate growth rates were associated with a younger gestational age at birth (P=0.003), longer NICU stays (P<0.001), lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes (P<0.001), higher rates of preterm delivery (P=0.02), and an increased likelihood of being Small for Gestational Age (SGA) (P<0.001). A significant relationship was also found between fetal growth rate and Umbilical Artery (UA) flow. In fetuses with an inappropriate growth rate, absence and reversal of umbilical artery flow were more frequent (P<0.001).Conclusion: This study’s findings demonstrated that abnormal fetal growth rates were associated with a higher incidence of perinatal complications and changes in Doppler indices. These results suggest that evaluating fetal growth rates could be an effective method for predicting potential complications during pregnancy and childbirth.