Work

Fetal aorta assessment and cardiovascular biophysical indices in small for gestational age fetuses

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease ranks among the foremost causes of morbidity in adults and recent studies indicate that the process of atheromatosis appears to commence as early as fetal life. This study examined differences in several fetal aorta parameters between AGA and SGA fetuses. This was a prospective cohort study that included a total of 198 women with singleton pregnancies, assessed between 31 and 34 weeks of gestation. Each fetus underwent a thorough assessment of its biometry and its Doppler indices. Concomitant examination of the fetal abdominal aorta diameter, aortic isthmus and aortic intima media thickness was included. AO D was significantly lower, while UA PI was significantly greater in SGA fetuses. The unadjusted regression coefficient of AO D on EFW centile was 1.33 while after adjusting for gestational age, UA PI and UtA PI it continued to be significantly associated with EFW centile (β = 1.49). The unadjusted regression coefficient of UA PI on EFW centile was −0.55 and after adjusting for gestational age and Ut A PI, it remained statistically significant and was demonstrated to be −0.60. Greater AO D was significantly associated with lower probability of EFW <10th centile (OR = 0.87) and it remained significant after adjusting for gestational age and UtA PI (OR = 0.82). The study demonstrated that AO D was significantly lower while UA-PI appeared significantly increased in SGA fetuses, remaining as such even after the appropriate adjustment. However, the study did not manage to show alterations in the rest of the fetal abdominal aorta measurements. • The purpose of our study was to investigate potential differences of the fetal abdominal aorta measurements (aIMT, AoI diameter and AoI Doppler flow) along with a series of biophysical parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy among AGA and SGA fetuses. • AO D was significantly lower while UA-PI appeared significantly increased in SGA fetuses, remaining as such even after the appropriate adjustment for several confounding factors. • The study did not manage to show alterations in the rest of the fetal abdominal aorta measurements among SGA and appropriately grown fetuses. • The alterations of fetal aorta indices seem to be an antenatal marker of vascular derangements, potentially contributing to persisting severe endothelial dysfunction.

Source: Placenta

DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2025.10.005

Authors: Simou Maria, Sapantzoglou Ioakeim, Psarris Alexandros, Daskalaki Maria-Anastasia, Daskalakis Georgios

Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,720