What are the examination items for fetal growth retardation?

Fetal growth retardation is a common phenomenon among pregnant women. It means that after a period of pregnancy, the embryo stops developing and the baby in the belly stops growing. Then abortion or curettage will be performed. This is very painful for pregnant women. It also causes great harm to the body and may even affect future fertility. Therefore, when a woman who has experienced fetal growth retardation is pregnant again, she should undergo relevant examinations. First-time pregnant women can also do this type of examination to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly. So, what are the examination items for fetal growth retardation?

Those with embryonic arrest often have a history of secondary complications. If a woman has experienced embryonic arrest once, the possibility of it happening again is as high as over 60%. Moreover, if the last embryonic arrest occurred at around 6 weeks, then the chance of embryonic arrest is extremely high when she is pregnant again at around 6 weeks. This is a typical characteristic of embryonic arrest. Therefore, experts from Nanchang Huashan Hospital remind that for women with a history of embryonic arrest, both husband and wife should undergo a comprehensive fertility assessment before becoming pregnant again. These examinations are conducted around the causes of embryonic arrest, the main causes of which are: reproductive endocrine issues (including corpus luteum insufficiency, polycystic ovary); reproductive immunity issues; uterine problems; chromosomal problems; and sperm quality.

Male examination items

1. Semen exfoliated cytology examination: to determine sperm motility and whether there are abnormal sperm.

2. Male prostate examination: Prostatitis can cause abnormalities in semen.

3. Chromosome examination: Chromosome abnormality is an important cause of fetal growth retardation.

Female examination items

1. Six tests of female sex hormones: The level of female hormones determines the quality of follicle development. The quality of follicles directly affects the quality of the embryo. When the quality of the embryo is poor, it can easily lead to fetal arrest. Six hormone tests (i.e. ovarian reserve function) are usually performed on the third day of menstruation.

2. Four items of female eugenics: including rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and herpes simplex virus. Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant have a high chance of infecting the fetus due to low immunity. These infections can not only lead to fetal growth retardation, but also cause the baby to be born with malformations.

3. Immune antibody examination: including anti-sperm antibodies, blocking antibodies, anti-embryo antibodies, anti-ovarian antibodies, anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-endometrial antibodies, anti-human chorionic gonadotropin antibodies, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, etc. The clinical manifestation of immune infertility is fetal growth retardation.

4. Thyroid function test: Abnormal thyroid function is a factor leading to fetal growth retardation.

5. Routine screening of leucorrhea: check for Trichomonas, fungus, mycoplasma, chlamydia infection, bacterial vaginitis, etc.

Whether it is the first pregnancy or couples who have experienced fetal growth retardation, they should be particularly cautious. Refer to some of the examination items given above and go to the hospital for relevant examinations, which will be more conducive to a smooth pregnancy and delivery. I wish every pregnant woman a smooth pregnancy and delivery.