Is there an association between isolated sonographic abdominal circumference below the 10th percentile and placental vascular lesions?

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between prenatal diagnosis of isolated abdominal circumference (AC) below the 10th percentile (AC <10th) in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates and placental vascular lesions.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted of healthy women who underwent sonographic fetal biometric measurements, up to 7 days before delivery, and delivered AGA neonates. The study cohort was divided into those with and without prenatal isolated AC <10th. Placental histopathology lesions were classified into maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion (MVM, FVM) lesions.

RESULTS

Compared to the AC over 10th percentile group (n = 85), the AC <10th group (n = 85) was characterized by lower maternal body mass index, higher rate of smokers, and increased rate of induced labor (P = 0.029, P = 0.029, P = 0.001, respectively). There were no between-group differences regarding maternal age, gestational age, and neonatal outcome. Mean placental weight was lower in the isolated AC <10th (P < 0.001). The rate of MVM or FVM lesions did not differ between the groups. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, isolated AC <10th was not found to be associated with increased risk for placental vascular lesions.

CONCLUSION

Isolated AC <10th is associated with increased rate of induction of labor; however, it is not associated with increased placental vascular lesions.