Placental Versus Cerebral Doppler Parameters in Early-Onset and Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: No Additional Prognostic Value of Middle Cerebral Artery Diastolic Deceleration Area

The authors aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of middle cerebral artery (MCA) diastolic deceleration area (DDA) in relation to fetal growth restriction (FGR) and composite adverse neonatal outcomes (CANOs) compared to established Doppler parameters. Their findings indicate that while placental Doppler parameters, specifically umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA PI) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), are strong independent predictors of both early-onset and late-onset FGR, MCA DDA does not provide additional prognostic value for FGR or CANOs. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore the clinical relevance of MCA DDA in this context.