Objective
We hypothesized that a multi‐compartment MRI technique that is sensitive to fetal blood oxygenation would identify changes in placental blood volume and fetal blood oxygenation in pregnancies complicated by early‐onset Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR).
Design
Case‐Control study.
Setting
London, UK.
Population
Women with uncomplicated pregnancies (estimated fetal weight, EFW>10th centile for gestational age, GA and normal maternal and fetal Doppler ultrasound, n=12) or early‐onset FGR (EFW<3rd centile with or without abnormal Doppler US<32 weeks GA, n=12) were studied.
Methods
All women underwent MRI examination. Using a multi‐compartment MRI technique, we quantified fetal and maternal blood volume and feto‐placental blood oxygenation.
Main Outcome Measures
Disease severity was stratified according to Doppler pulsatility index and the relationship to the MRI parameters investigated, including the influence of gestational age at scan.
Results
The FGR group (mean GA:27+5wks, range:24+2 to 33+6wks) had a significantly lower estimated fetal weight compared to the control group (mean GA:29+1wks) (‐705g 95%CI=(‐353, ‐1057g)). MR‐derived feto‐placental oxygen saturation was higher in controls compared to FGR (75 (±9.6)% vs 56 (±16.2)%, p=0.02, 95%CI=(7.8‐30.3)%). Feto‐placental oxygen saturation estimation correlated strongly with gestational age at scan in controls (r=‐0.83)
Conclusion
Using a novel multimodal MRI protocol we demonstrated reduced feto‐placental blood oxygen saturation in pregnancies complicated by early‐onset FGR. The degree of abnormality correlated with disease severity defined by ultrasound Doppler findings. Gestational age dependent changes in oxygen saturation were also present in normal pregnancies.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)