Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a complex disorder of human pregnancy that leads to poor health outcomes in offspring. These range from immediate risks such as perinatal morbidity and stillbirths, to long-term complications including severe neurodevelopmental problems. Despite its relatively high global prevalence, the aetiology of FGR and its complications is not currently well understood. We now know that serotonin (5-HT) is synthesised in the placenta and is crucial for early fetal forebrain development in mice. However, the contribution of a disrupted placental 5-HT synthetic pathway to the pathophysiology of placental insufficiency in FGR and its significant fetal neurodevelopmental complications are unclear.

胎儿生长受限（FGR）是人类怀孕的复杂疾病，导致后代健康状况不佳。这些风险范围从围产期发病和死产等直接风险到包括严重的神经发育问题在内的长期并发症。尽管FGR的全球患病率较高，但目前尚不十分了解FGR的病因及其并发症。我们现在知道，血清素（5-HT）在胎盘中合成，对于小鼠早期胎儿前脑发育至关重要。然而，尚不清楚胎盘5-HT合成途径对胎盘生长不全的胎盘功能不全及其重要胎儿胎儿神经发育并发症的病理生理的影响。