Previous studies demonstrated elevated levels of C3a, a cleavage product of C3, at 20 wks gestation was associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes classified as iatrogenic preterm or sPTB compared to normal term births, however the authors did not distinguish the different subclassification of preterm birth such as preeclampisa (PE), interuterine growth restriction (IUGR), or isPTB[32]. This evidence concerns the gene C3 and fetal growth restriction.