Small for gestational age at preterm birth identifies adverse neonatal outcomes more reliably than antenatal suspicion of fetal growth restriction.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is an important reason for premature delivery and a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate whether classification as small for gestational age (SGA; <10 centile) at birth or antenatal suspicion of FGR was more strongly associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.

Methods: A retrospective audit of infants born between 24 + 0 and 32 + 6 weeks of gestation from 2012-2019 and admitted to the Neonatal Unit at Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW).