Can certain factors for recurrence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications be identified after an initial small-for-gestational-age birth?

Introduction

After a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth, recurrence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPCs) is a cause for anxiety when contemplating another pregnancy. We sought to identify factors potentially associated with this recurrence.Material and methods: This retrospective single-center observational study was conducted in a tertiary maternity unit between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017. We included all women having experienced a non-syndromic SGA birth and who were subsequently monitored for at least one other pregnancy in our institution. PMPCs were defined as recurrent SGA births, three consecutive first-trimester miscarriages, or preeclampsia.

Results

Ninety-four women were included over a 7-year study period. Recurrent PMPCs were recorded in 30 (32%) cases, of which 29 featured recurrent SGA births. None of the following characteristics were significantly associated with recurrence: presence of preeclampsia during the initial pregnancy (six [20%] versus 25 [39%] cases in the recurrent PMPCs and non-recurrent PMPCs groups, respectively; p = .11), results of the histopathologic placental examination or thrombophilia screen, or implemented treatment during subsequent pregnancies.

Conclusions

PMPCs recur frequently. No risk factor for recurrence was identified in our study. Results of etiologic assessments and treatments implemented after an initial SGA birth should therefore not modify level of clinical and ultrasound monitoring provided during subsequent pregnancies.Rationale: Recurrence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications is a cause for anxiety when contemplating another pregnancy. We did not identify any risk factor after an initial small-for-gestational-age birth in our study; surveillance should therefore not be modified by the etiologic assessments' results.