OP39.11: The significance of prenatal detection of fetal growth restriction by the assessment of fetal limb‐volume using XI VOCAL™ three‐dimensional ultrasound volumetry

Abstract

Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction may lead to fetal hypoxia and acidemia, which result in fetal cardiac injury. The aim was to compare the levels of fetal cardiac troponin T (cTnT) at birth according to fetal gender in pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency before 34 weeks gestation. Methods: Between March 2007 and Feb 2010, 45 singleton pregnancies with placental insufficiency characterized by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler were prospectively studied. All the patients delivered by Cesarean section and the Doppler exams were performed at the same day. Immediately after delivery, UA blood samples were obtained for fetal cTNT measurements. Fetal cardiac injury was characterized by abnormal level of fetal cTnT at birth (>=0.10 ng/mL). Results: Fetal cardiac TnT at birth was significantly higher in the group of male fetuses (n = 20, 44.4%) when compared with female fetuses (mean = 0.137, SD = 0.095 ng/mL vs. mean = 0.082, SD = 0.077 ng/mL, P = 0.041). In the group of male fetuses, Doppler results of ductus venosus (DV) showed values of DV PIV > 1.0 in 14 cases (70%), and in the group of female fetuses 12 cases (48%, P = 0.237). Conclusions: Fetal gender was associated with cTnT level at birth in pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency before 34 th weeks gestation. The fetal cardiac compromise and cardiac injury may be influenced by fetal gender, suggesting differences in the cardiovascular response to fetal hypoxia.