OC14.03: Single scan screening versus longitudinal scan screening of fetal growth restriction in the third trimester: multicentre randomised protocol (RELAIS).

This article discusses a multicenter randomized trial conducted in Italy to compare two protocols for screening fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the third trimester of pregnancy. The study recruited nulliparous singleton pregnancies with no risk factors for FGR and randomly assigned them to either a single scan protocol or a longitudinal scan protocol. The results showed that the longitudinal scan protocol identified more FGR fetuses and had a higher detection rate for small for gestational age (SGA) babies compared to the single scan protocol. Additionally, the longitudinal scan group had a lower rate of neonatal admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study concludes that implementing routine third trimester ultrasound at 35-37 weeks' gestation in a low-risk population can improve FGR/SGA detection and lead to better perinatal outcomes. [Extracted from the article]