Prediction of fetal growth restriction and small for gestational age by ultrasound cardiac parameters

Prediction of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small of gestational age (SGA) infants by using various ultrasound cardiac parameters in a logistic regression model.

In this retrospective study we obtained standardized ultrasound images of 357 fetuses between the 20th and 39th week of gestation, 99 of these fetuses were between the 3rd and 10th growth percentile, 61 smaller than 3rd percentile and 197- appropriate for gestational age over the 10th percentile (control group). Several cardiac parameters were studied. The cardiothoracic ratio and sphericity of the ventricles was calculated. A binary logistic regression model was developed for prediction of growth restriction using the cardiac and biometric parameters.

There were noticeable differences between the control and study group in the sphericity of the right ventricle (p = 0.000), left and right longitudinal ventricle length (p^right = 0.000, p^left = 0.000), left ventricle transverse length (p = 0.000), heart diameter (p = 0.002), heart circumference (p = 0.000), heart area (p = 0.000), and thoracic diameter limited by the ribs (p = 0.002). There was no difference of the cardiothoracic ratio between groups. The logistic regression model achieved a prediction rate of 79.4 % with a sensitivity of 74.5 % and specificity of 83.2 %.

The heart of growth restricted infants is characterized by a more globular right ventricle, shorter ventricle length and smaller thorax diameter. These parameters could improve prediction of FGR and SGA.