Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College | 2026
Authors: Javaid N.; Akhter N.; Naz R.; Akhter T.; Butt M.; Irfan A.
DOI: 10.37939/jrmc.v30i1.2829
Journal: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College
Year: 2026
Publisher: Rawalpindi Medical University
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Objective: To evaluate the association between PW, F/P ratio, and gestational age with neonatal birthweight and perinatal outcomes in a mixed-risk obstetric population. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over six months at the KRL Hospital in Kahuta. A total of 120 pregnant women who attended for antenatal care and/or delivery were enrolled after informed consent was obtained. Maternal demographics, parity, and gestational age were recorded. At delivery, neonatal birthweight and placental weight (after standard trimming) were measured, and the F/P ratio was calculated as birthweight (g)/placental weight (g). Placental weight was categorised as <10th, 10th–90th, and >90th percentiles, and the F/P ratio was categorised as <5 or ≥5. Descriptive statistics were generated, group differences were assessed using the χ² test, and correlations between PW and birthweight were examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (SPSS v26). Results: Placental weight was strongly associated with birthweight category: low PW (<10th percentile) was present in 45.3% of low-birthweight infants versus 10.2% of normal-birthweight infants (p < 0.001), whereas normal PW (10th–90th percentile) was more frequent in the normal-birthweight group (80.5% vs. 52.7%, p = 0.002). High PW (>90th percentile) also differed between groups (2.0% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.03). An F/P ratio <5 was observed in 48.5% of low-birthweight neonates compared with 12.3% of normal-birthweight neonates (p < 0.001); conversely, an F/P ratio ≥5 predominated among normal-birthweight infants (87.7% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.001). PW correlated positively with birthweight (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), underscoring the contribution of placental size to foetal growth. Shorter gestation is associated with low birthweight and adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion: In this cohort, lower placental weight and an F/P ratio <5 were strongly associated with low birthweight and adverse neonatal outcomes, whereas shorter gestational age further amplified the risk. Routin0065 measurement of PW, calculation of the F/P ratio, and careful monitoring of gestational duration may provide simple, low-cost tools to identify foetuses at risk for growth restriction and unfavourable perinatal outcomes in similar resource-limited settings. © 2026.
Birthweight; Fetal growth restriction; Fetal-to-placental weight ratio; Gestational age; Pakistan; Perinatal outcomes; Placental weight; Small for gestational age