Journal Article

Angiogenic factors versus fetomaternal Doppler for fetal growth restriction at term: an open-label, randomized controlled trial

Lesmes, Cristina, Tubau, Albert, Blanco, José Eliseo, Valiño, Nuria, Ferrer-Costa, Roser, Teixidor, Mireia, Garcia, Esperanza, Hurtado, Ivan, Ramos-Forner, Gemma M., Lopez-Quesada, Eva, Bonacina, Erika, López, Miguel Ángel, Carreras, Elena, Sanchez-Camps, Maria Luisa, Fabre, Marta, Palacios, Ana, Alayon, Nicolas, Sainz-Bueno, Jose Antonio, Chulilla, Carolina, Ocaña, Vanesa, Cuiña, Ana, Lázaro-Rodríguez, Marta, Esteve, Esther, Maroto, Anna, Soriano, Beatriz, Martin, Lourdes, Ibañez, Patricia, Vaquerizo, Oscar, Perez, Esther, Moreno, Elena, Lopez, Monica, Vives, Angels, Borrero, Carlota, Moreno, Anna, Mendoza, Manel, Diaz, Sonia, Garcia-Manau, Pablo, Gomez-Valencia, Elena, Gil, Maria M., Martin-Alonso, Raquel, Alcoz, Marina, Broullon, Jose Roman

2025

Overview

Small fetuses, with estimated fetal weight (EFW) below the tenth percentile, are classified as fetal growth restriction (FGR) or small for gestational age (SGA) based on prenatal ultrasound. FGR fetuses have a greater risk of stillbirth and perinatal complications and may benefit from serial ultrasound scans to guide early delivery. Abnormal serum angiogenic factors, such as the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1):placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio, have shown potential to more accurately distinguish FGR from SGA, with fewer false positives. This randomized controlled trial compared a management protocol based on the sFlt-1:PlGF with EFW and Doppler ultrasound in avoiding adverse perinatal outcomes in small fetuses after 36 weeks of gestation. A total of 1,088 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were randomized to either the Doppler-based (control) or the sFlt-1:PlGF-based (intervention) protocol. The primary outcome, neonatal acidosis or Cesarean delivery as a result of abnormal cardiotocography, was assessed in 1,013 participants. The incidence was 10.5% in the intervention group and 10.0% in the control group (absolute difference, 0.53 (−3.21 to 4.26)), with the upper limit of the confidence interval <8.5%, confirming noninferiority. Thus, the sFlt-1:PlGF was noninferior to EFW and Doppler ultrasound in avoiding neonatal acidosis or Cesarean delivery owing to nonreassuring fetal status in small fetuses after 36 weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04502823 ). In 1,088 pregnant individuals, assessment of abnormal serum angiogenic factors is demonstrated to be noninferior to the standard clinical approach based on estimated fetal weight and Doppler percentiles for the identification of fetuses at a higher risk of neonatal acidosis or Cesarean delivery, thus offering a beneficial option in settings where Doppler or experienced sonographers are not readily available.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group US,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 692/308/2779/777 / 692/308/53/2423 / Acidosis / Adult / Angiogenesis / Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Cancer Research / Cesarean section / Clinical trials / Doppler effect / Female / Fetal Growth Retardation - blood / Fetal Growth Retardation - diagnosis / Fetal Growth Retardation - diagnostic imaging / Fetal Weight / Fetuses / Gestational Age / Growth factors / Humans / Infant, Newborn / Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Infectious Diseases / Kinases / Metabolic Diseases / Molecular Medicine / Neonates / Neurosciences / Placenta growth factor / Placenta Growth Factor - blood / Pregnancy / Small for gestational age / Tyrosine / Ultrasonic imaging / Ultrasonography, Doppler / Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods / Ultrasound / Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 - blood