Longitudinal brain perfusion changes in near-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses as measured by spectral Doppler indices or by fractional moving blood volume

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the temporal sequence of fetal brain hemodynamic changes in near-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses as measured by spectral Doppler indices or by fractional moving blood volume.

Study design: Cerebral tissue perfusion measured by fractional moving blood volume, cerebroplacental ratio, anterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were weekly performed in a cohort of singleton consecutive small-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal umbilical artery delivered after 37 weeks of gestation.

Results: A total of 307 scans were performed on 110 small-for-gestational-age fetuses. Mean gestational age at diagnosis and at delivery was 35.7 and 38.6 weeks, respectively. The proportion of fetuses with abnormal fractional moving blood volume, cerebroplacental ratio, anterior cerebral artery-pulsatility index, and middle cerebral artery-pulsatility index values was 31.3%, 16.8%, 17.2%, and 10.8% at 37 weeks of gestation and 42.7%, 23.6%, 20.9%, and 16.4% before delivery.

Conclusion: The presence of brain redistribution in small-for-gestational-age fetuses was detected earlier and in a higher proportion of fetuses using cerebral tissue perfusion rather than spectral Doppler indices.