Impaired in vivo feto-placental development is associated with neonatal neurobehavioral outcomes.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental problems, yet remains poorly understood. We sought to examine the relationship between intrauterine development and neonatal neurobehavior in pregnancies diagnosed with antenatal FGR.

Methods: We recruited women with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with FGR and measured placental and fetal brain volumes using MRI.

Association of Elevated Maternal Psychological Distress, Altered Fetal Brain, and Offspring Cognitive and Social-Emotional Outcomes at 18 Months.

Importance: Prenatal maternal psychological distress is associated with disturbances in fetal brain development. However, the association between altered fetal brain development, prenatal maternal psychological distress, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes is unknown.

Objective: To determine the association of fetal brain development using 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumes, cortical folding, and metabolites in the setting of maternal psychological distress with infant 18-month neurodevelopment.