The utility of foetal splenic artery Doppler measurement in the diagnosis of late-onset foetal growth restriction.

We aimed to examine the contribution of splenic artery (SA) Doppler parameters in the detection of foetuses with late-onset foetal growth restriction (LO-FGR) and to evaluate its power in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes. Within the study's scope, 52 cases in the LO-FGR group and 92 cases in the control group were evaluated. The criteria determined in the Delphi procedure by an international consensus were used to define the LO-FGR. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) and SA PI were significantly lower in the LO-FGR group (: .002, <.001, respectively). Likewise, cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was significantly lower in the LO-FGR group (<.001). Decreased CPR and decreased SA PI were significantly and positively associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting adverse obstetric outcome (<.001, : .012, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value for SA PI was 1.41 to predict LO-FGR with 70.7% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity (AUC = 0.684; 95% CI, 0.594-0.774).Impact Statement The main clinical difficulty in late-onset foetal growth restriction (LO-FGR) is the detection of the disease. The splenic artery (SA) pulsatility index (PI) may contribute to both diagnostic and the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in LO-FGR cases. Our results showed that the SA PI value, as well as cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), can be a useful parameter in predicting negative outcomes. Various degrees of uteroplacental insufficiency in foetuses with LO-FGR may be associated with abnormalities in SA Doppler velocimetry. Splenic artery Doppler velocimetry can be used for the clinical management of LO-FGR.