Research Article

Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Volume: 23 Number: 3 October 1, 2026
TR EN

Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Differentiating late-onset fetal growth restriction from constitutional smallness can be challenging in routine practice. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) primarily defines FGR using fetal biometric cutoffs, whereas the Delphi/International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) approach also takes growth trajectory and Doppler findings into account. Objective: We aimed to compare the level of agreement between the SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG definitions and to assess how each performed in relation to perinatal outcomes within the same late-gestation cohort. Methods: We reviewed 280 singleton pregnancies managed at a single center between January 2023 and May 2026. All pregnancies were evaluated at 32 weeks of gestation or later. Each case was classified according to both the SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG criteria. The primary endpoint was a composite adverse perinatal outcome. Secondary outcomes were birth weight below the 10th and 3rd percentiles. We calculated diagnostic performance with 95% confidence intervals, Cohen kappa agreement, and exact McNemar tests. Results: The SMFM definition classified 36 pregnancies (12.9%) as fetal growth restriction, compared with 15 (5.4%) by Delphi/ISUOG. Twelve pregnancies met both definitions, 24 met only SMFM, and 3 met only Delphi/ISUOG. Agreement was moderate (kappa 0.43; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.59). The composite outcome occurred in 37 cases (13.2%). SMFM sensitivity and specificity for this outcome were 16.2% and 87.7%; corresponding Delphi/ISUOG values were 10.8% and 95.5%. Delphi/ISUOG was more specific (p<0.001), while sensitivity did not differ (p=0.625). For birth weight below the 10th percentile, SMFM was more sensitive (54.1% vs 29.7%), whereas Delphi/ISUOG was more specific (98.4% vs 93.4%). For birth weight below the 3rd percentile, sensitivity was 80.0% vs 60.0% and specificity was 89.6% vs 96.7%. Conclusion: SMFM identified more fetuses and was more sensitive for neonatal smallness. Delphi/ISUOG selected a smaller, more specific group. Neither definition alone was sensitive for the composite adverse perinatal outcome. The two approaches should not be treated as interchangeable.

Keywords

References

  1. Miller SL, Huppi PS, Mallard C. The consequences of fetal growth restriction on brain structure and neurodevelopmental outcome. J Physiol. 2016;594(4):807-823. doi:10.1113/JP271402. PMID: 26607046

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 1, 2026

Submission Date

August 31, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 3

APA
Seyhan, B., Başbuğa, H. M., Açıkgöz, H. A., Akbulut, Ö. V., & Çelen, Ş. (2026). Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 23(3), 304-312. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2029674
AMA
1.Seyhan B, Başbuğa HM, Açıkgöz HA, Akbulut ÖV, Çelen Ş. Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23(3):304-312. doi:10.38136/jgon.2029674
Chicago
Seyhan, Berna, Hasan Mert Başbuğa, Hamza Arda Açıkgöz, Özgür Volkan Akbulut, and Şevki Çelen. 2026. “Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 (3): 304-12. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2029674.
EndNote
Seyhan B, Başbuğa HM, Açıkgöz HA, Akbulut ÖV, Çelen Ş (October 1, 2026) Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 3 304–312.
IEEE
[1]B. Seyhan, H. M. Başbuğa, H. A. Açıkgöz, Ö. V. Akbulut, and Ş. Çelen, “Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study”, Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 304–312, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.38136/jgon.2029674.
ISNAD
Seyhan, Berna - Başbuğa, Hasan Mert - Açıkgöz, Hamza Arda - Akbulut, Özgür Volkan - Çelen, Şevki. “Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23/3 (October 1, 2026): 304-312. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2029674.
JAMA
1.Seyhan B, Başbuğa HM, Açıkgöz HA, Akbulut ÖV, Çelen Ş. Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23:304–312.
MLA
Seyhan, Berna, et al. “Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 304-12, doi:10.38136/jgon.2029674.
Vancouver
1.Berna Seyhan, Hasan Mert Başbuğa, Hamza Arda Açıkgöz, Özgür Volkan Akbulut, Şevki Çelen. Outcome-Based Comparison of SMFM and Delphi/ISUOG Criteria for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Oct. 1;23(3):304-12. doi:10.38136/jgon.2029674