Evaluation of Fetal Cardiac Function and Vascular Hemodynamics in Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Evaluation of Non Invasive Fetal Cardiac Functions and Fetal Arterial&Venous Doppler Study in Intrauterine Growth Restriction as Predictive Parameters of Perinatal Outcome

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the major contributors to perinatal mortality and morbidity and is characterized by complex hemodynamic changes involving placental and fetal arterial, cardiac and venous circulations .However, the temporal sequence of these modifications in relation to other hemodynamic changes of the fetal arterial and venous circulations is unknown.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac function and other hemodynamic changes in a group of fetuses with IUGR and clinical impact on perinatal outcome .

Inclusion Criteria:

• Singleton fetus with normal fetal anatomy documented a detailed sonogram.
• Fetal abdominal circumference <5th percentile for gestational age.
• Evidence of placental insufficiency documented by an elevated umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI) by reference ranges.

Exclusion Criteria:

• evidence of fetal infection
• chorioamnionitis
• fetal anomalies
• abnormal fetal karyotype
• patient withdrawal from the study and/or unavailability for follow-up.