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INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION |
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 Feb;168(2):547-55.
Fetal growth retardation: associated malformations and chromosomal
abnormalities.
Snijders RJ, Sherrod C, Gosden CM, Nicolaides KH.
Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College
Hospital, London, England.
Objectives:
Our objective was to determine the incidence and pattern of
chromosomal abnormalities in fetal growth retardation.
Study Design:
Blood
karyotyping was performed in 458 fetuses referred to us for further
assessment of growth retardation at 17 to 39 weeks' gestation.
Results:
The
fetal karyotype was normal in 369 and abnormal in 89 (19%) of the cases. The
most common chromosomal defect in the group referred at < 26 weeks'
gestation was triploidy; in those referred at > or = 26 weeks, it was
trisomy 18. The incidence of fetal autosomal chromosome aberrations
increased, whereas the incidence of triploidy did not change, with maternal
age. Ninety-six percent of chromosomally abnormal fetuses had multisystem
fetal defects that were characteristic of the different types of chromosomal
abnormalities. Compared with those fetuses with a normal karyotype, the
chromosomally abnormal group had a higher mean head circumference/abdominal
circumference ratio, a higher incidence of normal or increased amniotic
fluid volume, and normal waveforms from the uterine or umbilical arteries or
both.
Conclusion:
The findings of the different types of chromosomal
abnormalities and their ultrasonographically detectable phenotypic
expression provide the background for prospective studies to determine the
incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in unselected populations of
small-for-gestational-age fetuses.
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