Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation
06:56

Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation

Published on: January 7, 2021

Diffusion-weighted imaging in fetuses with severe congenital heart defects

J I Berman1, S E G Hamrick, P S McQuillen

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.

AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|January 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fetal diffusion MRI reveals altered brain development in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD). Higher diffusivity in white matter and thalamus suggests abnormal in utero brain maturation in these infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) can impact fetal development.
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) assesses water molecule movement, reflecting tissue microstructure.
  • Understanding in utero brain development is crucial for CHD management.

Observation:

  • dMRI was utilized in three fetuses diagnosed with CHD.
  • Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values were measured in key brain regions: periatrial white matter, thalamus, and basal ganglia.
  • A control group of healthy fetuses was used for comparison.

Findings:

  • Fetuses with CHD exhibited significantly higher diffusivity in the periatrial white matter compared to controls.
  • Elevated diffusivity was also observed in the thalamus of fetuses with CHD.
  • No significant difference was noted in the basal ganglia diffusivity between groups.

Implications:

  • These findings suggest abnormal white matter and thalamic development in utero for fetuses with CHD.
  • Altered brain maturation may have long-term neurological consequences for children with CHD.
  • Early detection of developmental changes via fetal dMRI could inform clinical interventions and prognoses.

More Related Videos

Murine Fetal Echocardiography08:04

Murine Fetal Echocardiography

Published on: February 15, 2013

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System07:34

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System

Published on: May 5, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion01:17

Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion

Understanding and evaluating diffusion and perfusion is critical in assessing a patient's respiratory and circulatory health. These processes play key roles in maintaining the body's internal environment, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen while waste products are efficiently removed.
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography

Echocardiography plays a role in assessing cardiac health and detecting heart conditions, with various types providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...