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A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse
Published on: December 16, 2022
Delayed cortical development in fetuses with complex congenital heart disease
C Clouchoux1, A J du Plessis, M Bouyssi-Kobar
1Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|September 15, 2012
Summary
Fetal brain development is impaired in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe congenital heart defect. Delays in cortical folding occur early, preceding volumetric growth issues, indicating potential third-trimester brain growth failure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Neurologic impairment is a significant complication in complex congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Evidence suggests neurologic dysfunction is present in newborns with CHD before surgical intervention.
- Previous research indicated brain growth impairment in fetuses with CHD originates in utero.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize global and regional brain development in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
- To investigate the origins of brain growth impairment in HLHS fetuses during the third trimester.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
- Compared in vivo brain growth in 18 fetuses with HLHS and 30 control fetuses.
- Analyzed brain development between 25.4 and 37.0 weeks of gestation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a progressive third-trimester decline in cortical gray and white matter volumes in HLHS fetuses.
- Observed significant delays in cortical gyrification in HLHS fetuses.
- Detected early local cortical folding delays (as early as 25 weeks) in multiple brain regions, preceding volumetric deficits.
Conclusions:
- Brain growth disturbances in HLHS fetuses originate in utero, specifically during the third trimester.
- Early cortical folding delays may serve as a marker for elevated risk of third-trimester brain growth failure in HLHS.
- Findings highlight the critical impact of HLHS on fetal brain development.
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