Fetoplacental ratios in stillbirths and second trimester miscarriages

Abstract

An abnormal fetoplacental (F/P) ratio is a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes including fetal death, but studies of F/P ratio among stillbirths are limited. In the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program cohort of second and third trimester fetal deaths, 1,022 were at ≥24 weeks with data on fetal and placental weight. Comparison with data for viable infants of the same gestational ages (GAs) showed that the F/P ratio increases more rapidly with GA for stillbirths than for viable infants. While placentas of stillborn infants are small at all GA, weights of deceased fetuses are lowest early in the second trimester, becoming nearly normal by term. Excess high F/P ratios are noted at all GAs, increasing toward term, while low ratios are frequent at early gestation but rare near term. Analysis by cause of death shows that F/P ratios are markedly elevated for placental and maternal causes (about 50% above the 90th centile), somewhat elevated for cord accidents, non-hydropic fetal, and unknown causes (about 1/3 above the 90th centile), and variable with 40% below the 10th centile for hydropic stillbirths. Across all causes and GAs, placental weights are more abnormal than fetal weights, suggesting that diminished placental function may contribute to fetal demise even when non-placental causes (e.g., premature membrane rupture, cord accidents, and chromosomal disorders) are identified. About half of all stillbirths have abnormal F/P ratios, suggesting that improvements in prenatal assessment of placental size and function might aid in identifying pregnancies at risk for demise; unfortunately, therapeutic options for ongoing pregnancies with diminished placental function remain limited.

Keywords: fetal death; fetoplacental ratio; miscarriage; stillbirth.