Evaluation of cardio-vascular function in late-onset small for gestational age fetuses

Objective To evaluate cardio-vascular function in late-onset small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses and healthy controls.

Methods Prospective matched cohort study, including 143 non-complicated (n=15 participants for each gestational week between 32 and 40) and 149 SGA fetuses. The examination at enrolment included routine ultrasound and assessment of fetal cardiac function: Diastolic and systolic parameters as well as aortic wall intima media thickness and aortic strain were evaluated. Data were calculated blinded and offline after patient visit.

Results Gestational age at screening was 36.3 (SD 2.5) weeks in the control and 36.6 (1.8) in the SGA group. The percentile of fetal estimated weight was 43 (23) and 6.6 (7.2). Even after adjustment for fetal estimated weight significant differences of cardiovascular function could be observed.

Conclusion Changes of cardiovascular function in cases of mild placental insufficiency can be detected already in utero even in late-onset SGA fetuses.

p-value1 p-value2

MAPSE. 0.001 0.401

TAPSE. 0.000 0.057

Right free wall thickness 0.916 0.159

Septal wall thickness.. 0.446 0.190

Left free wall thickness 0.918 0.180

Sphericity index left...0.565 0.769

Sphericity index right..0.263 0.186

Common cardiac output 0.252 0.597

ICT. 0.239 0.393

IRT. 0.016 0.052

ET. 0.021 0.006

MPI. 0.041 0.031

LV E/A. 0.001 0.003

RV E/A. 0.090 0.053

Abdominal aorta

syst/diast. change in % 0.023 0.004

IMT. 0.709 0.832

1, adjusted for gestational age

2, adjusted for fetal estimated weight

The study was funded by Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung.

 

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Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
20. Juni 2022