Gestational growth trajectories derived from a dynamic fetal–placental scaling law

Abstract

Fetal trajectories characterizing growth rates in utero have relied primarily on goodness of fit rather than mechanistic properties exhibited in utero. Here, we use a validated fetal–placental allometric scaling law and a first principles differential equations model of placental volume growth to generate biologically meaningful fetal–placental growth curves. The growth curves form the foundation for understanding healthy versus at-risk fetal growth and for identifying the timing of key events in utero.