Placental Growth Factor and Fetal Macrosomia: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Western Canadian Tertiary Centre

We studied a retrospective cohort of 377 pregnancies at a Canadian tertiary centre to explore whether low maternal placental growth factor (PlGF) is linked to suspected fetal macrosomia (estimated fetal weight ≥90th percentile by ultrasound), macrosomic neonates (>4000 g), and adverse perinatal outcomes. Low PlGF pregnancies showed elevated BMI, hypertension, and preeclampsia and were associated with earlier delivery, preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and placental vascular malperfusion. Macrosomic birthweight was not associated with PlGF status. Although suspected macrosomia by ultrasound appeared more frequently in patients with low PlGF, this association requires further investigation.