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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse
Published on: December 16, 2022
Changes in cardiac morphometry in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction
Sarah Araji1,2, Betul Yilmaz Furtun3, Sara Al-Haddad1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Texas Children's Hospital Baylor College of Medicine Houston Texas USA.
Pregnancy (Hoboken, N.J.)
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) causes significant cardiac changes, including smaller structures and higher cardiothoracic ratio. These findings aid in monitoring and counseling for affected pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Cardiology
- Pediatric Urology
Background:
- Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes, including renal dysfunction and pulmonary hypoplasia.
- Prenatal imaging has suggested cardiac abnormalities in LUTO fetuses, such as cardiomegaly and ventricular hypertrophy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize detailed fetal echocardiographic features in LUTO.
- To compare quantitative cardiac dimensions in LUTO fetuses with gestational age-matched controls, adjusting for estimated fetal weight.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of isolated LUTO fetuses with available fetal echocardiograms (2013-2025).
- Exclusion of fetuses with genetic abnormalities or major structural anomalies.
- Comparison of quantitative cardiac measurements between LUTO and control groups, adjusted for estimated fetal weight.
Main Results:
- LUTO fetuses showed increased pericardial effusion (29%), right ventricular hypertrophy (27%), and left ventricular hypertrophy (25%).
- Significantly higher cardiothoracic ratio and smaller cardiac structures (valves, branch pulmonary arteries) were observed in LUTO fetuses compared to controls (p < 0.01).
- These differences persisted after adjustment for estimated fetal weight.
Conclusions:
- Fetal LUTO is associated with global cardiac morphometric changes, impacting both left and right heart structures.
- These changes may indicate impaired diastolic filling or reduced venous return.
- Serial fetal echocardiography is valuable for monitoring cardiac adaptation and informing perinatal counseling.
