{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T20:22:51Z","timestamp":1790713371027,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":53,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,28]],"date-time":"2021-08-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1630108800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Children"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pregnancy complication. Multiple studies have connected FGR to poor cognitive development, behavior disorders, and academic difficulties during childhood. Brain sparing has traditionally been defined as an adaptive phenomenon in which the brain obtains the blood flow that it needs. However, this adaptive phenomenon might not have a complete protective effect. This publication aims to systematically review the consequences of brain redistribution on neurodevelopment in children who presented with placental intrauterine growth restriction. Methods: We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. It included studies on intrauterine growth restriction or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, which middle cerebral artery was measured, and neurodevelopment assessed during childhood. PUBMED and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant published studies. Results: Of the 526 studies reviewed, only 12 were included. Brain sparing was associated with poor cognitive function and lower scores in IQ. Cerebral redistribution was related to better executive function and better behavior at 4 years old but not at 12 years old. Conclusions: We can assume that fetal brain sparing could not be a fully protective phenomenon. We could not find clinical differences in behavioral and executive functions because the results were heterogeneous. Some cognitive abilities could be affected in FGR brain sparing fetuses.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/children8090745","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,29]],"date-time":"2021-08-29T21:45:16Z","timestamp":1630273516000},"page":"745","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":38,"title":["Brain Sparing Effect on Neurodevelopment in Children with Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"8","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2603-5477","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9","family":"Ben\u00edtez-Mar\u00edn","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecology Section at Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Medicine School, M\u00e1laga University, 29071 M\u00e1laga, Spain"},{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, 29010 M\u00e1laga, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8283-3951","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jes\u00fas","family":"Mar\u00edn-Clavijo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Arts and Architecture Department, M\u00e1laga University, 29071 M\u00e1laga, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Juan Antonio","family":"Blanco-Elena","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"General Surgery Service, Infanta Margarita Hospital, 14940 Cabra, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7286-8656","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jes\u00fas","family":"Jim\u00e9nez-L\u00f3pez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Regional University Hospital of M\u00e1laga, 29011 M\u00e1laga, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7106-092X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ernesto","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Mesa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecology Section at Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Medicine School, M\u00e1laga University, 29071 M\u00e1laga, Spain"},{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Regional University Hospital of M\u00e1laga, 29011 M\u00e1laga, Spain"},{"name":"IBIMA Research Group in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Epigenetics, Women\u2019s Diseases and Reproductive Health, 29071 M\u00e1laga, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"400","DOI":"10.1002\/uog.13190","article-title":"Perinatal morbidity and mortality in early-onset fetal growth restriction: Cohort outcomes of the trial of randomized umbilical and fetal flow in Europe (TRUFFLE)","volume":"42","author":"Lees","year":"2013","journal-title":"Ultrasound Obstet. 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