Combining early (<11 weeks’ gestation) ultrasound features and maternal factors to predict small‐for‐gestational age neonates

Objectives Placental related adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth restriction have significant short‐ and long‐term implications for both mother and fetus. This study aimed to determine if conventional and novel early first trimester ultrasound measures are associated with small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. In addition, we aimed to assess whether a combination of ultrasound measures, maternal characteristics and biochemistry improved the prediction of this adverse pregnancy outcome. Methods This was a prospective cohort study including ultrasound measurements: trophoblast thickness (TT), trophoblast volume (TV), mean uterine artery pulsatility index, crown‐rump length, fetal heart rate, mean sac diameter (MSD) and yolk sac diameter. Biochemical markers considered in the analysis were placental growth factor (PIGF), pregnancy – associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A), beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha fetoprotein. Regression models were fitted for ultrasound parameters using multiples of the median (MoM). All measures were compared with normal birthweight (BW) ≥10th centile and SGA (BW