Evaluation of Anterior and Middle Brain Structures With Cerebrovascular Flow in Fetuses With Fetal Growth Restriction: A Prospective Study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the adaptation of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and assess if forebrain and midbrain structures are affected by vascular adaptations. METHODS: A prospective case-control study involving normally developed fetuses and those with late-onset FGR (estimated fetal weight < 3rd percentile and/or abdominal circumference < 3rd percentile). Doppler indices of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), ACA and umbilical artery (UA) were determined between 32 + 0 and 37 + 0 weeks. Neurosonography assessed the depth of the insula, the sylvian fissure, and the antero-posterior diameter of the frontal lobes (FAPD). RESULTS: The cerebral-placental ratio (CPR) and cerebro-placental-uterine ratio (CPUR) were lower in FGR cases. ACA PI percentile values were significantly lower in the FGR group (p = 0.020). Sylvian fissure depth was significantly lower in FGR fetuses. CONCLUSION: The ACA may be the first cranial vascular structure affected in fetuses with FGR. This may be related to the impact on postnatal cognitive functions in FGR patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06215690.
Source: Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23857
Institutions: Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4403216179