Early Lung Function Trajectories: Comparison Between Infants With and Without Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

During intrauterine life, some babies are smaller or grow less than expected. This fetal growth abnormality, called fetal growth restriction (FGR), can be diagnosed by ultrasound. Since there are currently no curative treatments for this condition, nor methods to optimize the growth of babies in the womb, the only effective strategy is intensive monitoring of fetal conditions, accompanied by early planning of delivery. The diagnosis of early FGR (i.e. diagnosed before 32 weeks of gestation) confers a greater risk of short- and long-term respiratory problems. The study aims to examine the association between parameters that can be assessed during pregnancy by ultrasound, such as the estimate of lung volumes, the thickness and contractility of the diaphragm, and cardiac kinetics, and any perinatal complications and respiratory function in the first years of life of premature infants, bot