Are the cardiac dimensions spared in growth-restricted fetuses resulting from uteroplacental insufficiency?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), specifically from uteroplacental insufficiency, on fetal cardiac dimensions.

Cardiac circumference (CC) and cardiac area (CA) were measured in four-chamber view in 143 normal fetuses between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation. A study group comprised a homogeneous group of 49 IUGR fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery impedance. Multiple regression analysis was used to compare the cardiac dimensions between normal and IUGR fetuses and to determine if there were differences in cardiac measurements between those with normal and with abnormal ductus venosus Doppler.

Fetal cardiac dimensions did not differ significantly between normal and IUGR fetuses. In IUGR fetuses, cardiac dimensions were not statistically different between those with normal and abnormal ductus venosus Doppler.

Cardiac dimensions are spared and may be used for gestational age estimation in growth-restricted fetuses resulting from uteroplacental insufficiency.