Placental quantitative susceptibility mapping and T2* characteristics for predicting birth weight in healthy and...

The human placenta is critical in supporting fetal development, and placental dysfunction may compromise maternal-fetal health. Early detection of placental dysfunction remains challenging due to the lack of reliable biomarkers. This study compares placental quantitative susceptibility mapping and T2* values between healthy and high-risk pregnancies and investigates their association with maternal and fetal parameters and their ability to predict birth weight (BW).

A total of 105 pregnant individuals were included: 68 healthy controls and 37 high-risk due to fetal growth restriction (FGR), chronic or gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. Placental magnetic resonance imaging data were collected using a three-dimensional multi-echo radiofrequency-spoiled gradient-echo, and mean susceptibility and T2* values were calculated. To analyze associations and estimate BW, we employed linear regression and regression forest models.

No significant differences were found in susceptibility between high-risk pregnancies and controls (p = 0.928). T2* values were significantly lower in high-risk pregnancies (p = 0.013), particularly in pre-eclampsia and FGR, emerging as a predictor of BW. The regression forest model showed placental T2* as a promising mode for BW estimation.

Our findings underscore the potential of mean placental T2* as a more sensitive marker for detecting placental dysfunction in high-risk pregnancies than mean placental susceptibility. Moreover, the high-risk status emerged as a significant predictor of BW. These results call for further research with larger and more diverse populations to validate these findings and enhance prediction models for improved pregnancy management.

This study highlights the potential of placental T2* magnetic resonance imaging measurements as reliable indicators for detecting placental dysfunction in high-risk pregnancies, aiding in improved prenatal care and birth weight prediction.

Placental dysfunction in high-risk pregnancies is evaluated using MRI T2* values. Lower T2* values significantly correlate with pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. T2* MRI may predict birth weight, enhancing prenatal care outcomes.