2026: Volume 7, Issue 1
Past Issues
PDFImpact of Fetal Growth Restriction on Neonatal Outcomes, Neurodevelopment and Growth - Experience of a Tertiary Center
Inês Aires Martins1*, Joana Carvalho Queirós1, Inês Carvalho1, Dora Sousa1, Ana Cunha2, Luís Guedes-Martins2, Teresa Borges3, Ana Cristina Barros1, Marta Nascimento1, Liliana Carvalho Teixeira1, Sara Domingues1, Carmen Carvalho1, Ana Novo1
1Department of Neonatology, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Portugal
2Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine Center, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, ULS Santo António, Portugal
3Unit of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Portugal
*Corresponding author: Inês Aires Martins, Department of Neonatology, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Portugal, Phone: +351 222077500, E-mail: [email protected]
Received Date: February 05, 2026
Publication Date: March 15, 2026
Citation: Martins IA, et al. (2026). Impact of Fetal Growth Restriction on Neonatal Outcomes, Neurodevelopment and Growth - Experience of a Tertiary Center. Neonatal. 7(1):30.
Copyright: Martins IA, et al. © (2026).
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of 789 newborns with FGR delivered at a level III hospital (2015–2019), evaluating neonatal outcomes, neurodevelopment at 24–36 months, and growth beyond 4 years. Results: Early-onset FGR accounted for 25.5% of cases. Prematurity, early-onset FGR, abnormal Doppler findings, and lower estimated fetal weight independently predicted neonatal morbidity and NICU admission. Neurodevelopmental impairment at 24-36 months was identified in 34.2% of assessed children. At follow-up beyond 4 years of age, 6.3% had persistent short stature. Growth hormone therapy showed favorable response. Conclusion: FGR is a heterogeneous condition with outcomes strongly determined by timing of onset, Doppler abnormalities, and growth phenotype. Early-onset FGR, abnormal Doppler findings, and symmetrical FGR, define a high-risk subgroup with significant neonatal, neurodevelopmental, and growth consequences, supporting individualized surveillance and targeted long-term follow-up.
Keywords: Fetal Growth Restriction, Neonatal Outcome, Neurodevelopment Outcome, Nutrition/Growth, Small-For-Gestational-Age
