Abstract: Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a significant pregnancy complication where the fetus fails to reach growth potential. It increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including neonatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term health issues, such as chronic diseases in adulthood. This study aimed to assess the maternal serum placental growth factor at late second trimester as a predictor of fetal growth restriction.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the OPD of the Department of Fetomaternal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2022 to August 2023. A total of 58 singleton pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years were enrolled purposively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0.
Results: In this study, 20.7% of participants developed fetal growth restriction (FGR). Serum placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were significantly lower in FGR cases. Low PlGF levels (<234 pg/mL) predicted a 12.1 times higher risk of FGR, with a sensitivity of 83.33% and specificity of 84.78%. The negative predictive value was particularly high at 95.12%.
Conclusion: This study suggests low placental growth factor can be considered a reliable predictor of fetal growth restriction.
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