Cardiac morphology in neonates with fetal growth restriction

Abstract

Objective: Assess effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on cardiac modelling in premature and term neonates.

Study design: Prospective echocardiographic study of a cohort of FGR neonates (n = 21) and controls (n = 41) with normal prenatal growth and circulation.

Results: Unadjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex, and twin/singleton, Late-FGR neonates had smaller hearts than controls, with globular left ventricles and symmetrical right ventricles. Adjusted estimates showed smaller left ventricles and similarly sized right ventricles, with symmetrical left and right ventricles. Early-FGR (compared with Late-FGR) had smaller hearts and globular left ventricles in unadjusted estimates, but after adjustment, sizes and shapes were similar.

Conclusion: FGR had significant impact on cardiac modelling, seen in both statistical models unadjusted and adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex, and twin/singleton. The adjustments, however, refined the results and revealed more specific effects of FGR, thus underscoring the importance of statistical adjustments in such studies.