Association between the fetal cerebroplacental ratio and biomarkers of hypoxia and angiogenesis in the maternal circulation at term.

Objectives: A low fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in late pregnancy is a marker of a fetus that has failed to reach its growth potential and is associated with a variety of perinatal and pregnancy complications. It is not known if it is also correlated with aberrations in angiogenic, hypoxia-responsive or inflammatory cytokine levels in the maternal circulation. We investigated if there were any differences in levels of biomarkers of angiogenesis, endothelial cell dysfunction, hypoxia and/or inflammation in term pregnancies with a low fetal CPR compared to controls.

Reference centiles for maternal placental growth factor levels at term from a low-risk population.

Introduction: Placental growth factor (PLGF) is a biomarker of placental function. The aim of this study was to define reference ranges for maternal PLGF levels in a normotensive cohort ≥36 + 0 weeks.

Method: Prospective observational data from Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane.

Reduced growth velocity at term is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in non-small for gestational age infants.

Objectives: To investigate the association between decreased growth velocity at term, measured by estimated fetal weight z-score change, and adverse neonatal outcome and operative birth for intrapartum fetal compromise in a cohort of non-small for gestational age infants.

Study Design: A prospective observational study was conducted at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Serial ultrasound assessment was undertaken every two weeks from 36 weeks gestation until delivery to determine estimated fetal weight on 436 women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Prelabour myocardial deformation and cardiac output in fetuses that develop intrapartum compromise at term: a prospective observational study.

Redistribution of cardiac output is responsible for the "brain sparing" effect seen during periods of acute or chronic fetal stress. We investigated the relationship between prelabour cardiac function in fetuses that subsequently developed intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC). A blinded, prospective, observational, cohort study, at Mater Mother's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

Assessment of left ventricular function using the Myocardial Performance Index in term fetuses that develop intrapartum compromise.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the prelabour left ventricular Myocardial Performance Index (LVMPI) and intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) in low-risk term pregnancies.

Methods: A blinded, prospective observational cohort study at the Mater Mother's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. A cohort of 284 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies underwent fortnightly ultrasound from 36 weeks until delivery.

Screening Performance of Placental Growth Factor for the Prediction of Low Birth Weight and Adverse Intrapartum and Neonatal Outcomes in a Term Low-Risk Population.

Introduction: Fetuses who fail to reach their genetic growth potential are thought to have sub-optimal placental function. Low placental growth factor (PlGF) levels have been shown to be predictive of placentally mediated conditions, such as pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction. We investigated the screening performance of PlGF for the prediction of low birth weight (<10th centile for gestation) and adverse intrapartum and neonatal outcomes in apparently low-risk term pregnancies.

Screening for adverse perinatal outcomes: uterine artery Doppler, cerebroplacental ratio and estimated fetal weight in low-risk women at term.

Objective: To stratify apparently low-risk pregnant women into those who are at risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Appropriate stratification would allow targeted prenatal and intrapartum management.

Methods: This prospective, observational study included normotensive women with appropriately grown, non-anomalous, singleton pregnancies.

Diagnostic Performance of Cerebroplacental Ratio Thresholds at Term for Prediction of Low Birthweight and Adverse Intrapartum and Neonatal Outcomes in a Term, Low-Risk Population.

Objectives: To investigate the screening performance and best threshold centile (5th vs. 10th) of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in low-risk, term pregnancies to predict low birthweight and adverse intrapartum and neonatal outcomes in a term, low-risk population.

Methods: This was a blinded, prospective, cross-sectional study of low-risk singleton pregnancies at term.

The relationship between maternal placental growth factor levels and intrapartum fetal compromise.

Introduction: Whilst some cases of intrapartum fetal compromise are the result of unpredictable catastrophic events, the majority arise from an unrecognised reduction in feto-placental reserve in otherwise healthy pregnancies. There is currently no reliable technique prior to labour that identifies the at-risk fetus. We aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal levels of serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and intrapartum fetal compromise in term pregnancies prior to labour.