Neonatal morbidity and mortality in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancies is predicated upon prenatal diagnosis of clinical severity.

The objective of this work was to determine whether the prenatal determinates of clinical severity in intrauterine growth restricted pregnancies, established by abdominal circumference measures, correlates with neonatal morbidity and mortality. A total of 336 singleton pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction were subdivided into group 1 (normal fetal heart rate and pulsatility index of the umbilical artery: 251 cases), group 2 (normal fetal heart rate and abnormal pulsatility index: 50 cases), and group 3 (abnormal fetal heart rate and pulsatility index: 35 cases). Gestational age, birth weight, body mass index, placental weight, and Apgar score were significantly related to the severity of intrauterine growth restriction (P < .001). Neonatal survival was 100%, 96%, and 57% in the 3 groups, respectively (P < .001). Greater than 80% of neonates of group 1 had no complications when compared to group 2 (54%) and group 3 (10%); P < .001. Gestational age was the only independent variable significantly associated with neonatal outcomes. The data confirm that the classification of clinical severity of intrauterine growth restriction based on biophysical parameters is clinically relevant to predict neonatal outcome.