Neonatal outcomes following early fetal growth restriction: a subgroup analysis of the EVERREST study

Objective To quantify the risks of mortality, morbidity and postnatal characteristics associated with extreme preterm fetal growth restriction (EP-FGR). Design The EVERREST (Does vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy safely improve outcome in severe early-onset fetal growth restriction?) prospective multicentre study of women diagnosed with EP-FGR (singleton, estimated fetal weight (EFW) <3rd percentile, <600 g, 20(+0)-26(+6) weeks of gestation). The UK subgroup of EP-FGR infants (<36 weeks) were sex-matched and gestation-matched to appropriate for age (AGA) infants born in University College London Hospital (1:2 design, EFW 25th-75th percentile). Setting Four tertiary perinatal units (UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden). Main outcomes Antenatal and postnatal mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Results Of 135 mothers recruited with EP-FGR, 42 had a stillbirth or termination of pregnancy (31%) and 93 had live births (69%). Postnatal genetic abnormalities were identified in 7/93 (8%) live births. Mean gestational age at birth was 31.4 weeks (SD 4.6). 54 UK--born preterm EP--FGR infants (<36 weeks) were matched to AGA controls. EP--FGR was associated with increased BPD (43% vs 26%, OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 9.4, p=0.01), surgical NEC (6% vs 0%, p=0.036) and ROP treatment (11% vs 0%, p=0.001). Mortality was probably higher among FGR infants (9% vs 2%, OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 25.8, p=0.054). FGR infants more frequently received invasive ventilation (65% vs 50%, OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.1, p=0.03), took longer to achieve full feeds and had longer neonatal stays (median difference 6.1 days, 95% CI 3.8 to 8.9 and 19 days, 95% CI 9 to 30 days, respectively, p<0.0001). Conclusions Mortality following diagnosis of EP-FGR is high. Survivors experience increased neonatal morbidity compared with AGA preterm infants.