Fetal Epicardial Fat Thickness in Obese Pregnant Women: Its Effect on Fetal Cardiac Function and Neonatal Outcomes

Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 2024 Oct;228(5):439-445. doi: 10.1055/a-2267-5478. Epub 2024 Mar 19.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) together with fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and its effects on neonatal outcomes in obese pregnant women.

Materials and methods: A total of 102 pregnant women, 51 obese and 51 of normal weight, were included in this prospective study. Fetal EFT, and MPI measurements were performed for all patients.

Results: Fetal EFT and Mod-MPI showed a statistically significant difference between obese pregnant women and the control group (p=0.0001, p=0.001). The optimal fetal EFT predictive cut-off value for the 5th-minute APGAR score below 7 was 1.22 mm, with a sensitivity of 86.96% and a specificity of 54.43% (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Fetal EFT and mod-MPI were higher in obese pregnant women. It is encouraging that fetal EFT predicts low APGAR, but more important information can be obtained if postnatal follow-up of these cardiac changes caused by obesity can be performed.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05948319.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue* / diagnostic imaging
  • Adipose Tissue* / embryology
  • Adult
  • Apgar Score
  • Epicardial Adipose Tissue
  • Female
  • Fetal Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Heart / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Obesity* / complications
  • Pericardium* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericardium* / embryology
  • Pericardium* / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05948319