Abstract:
Background/Objectives: The utility of shear wave elastography (SWE) as an adjunct to ultrasound biometry and Doppler velocimetry for the examination of placental dysfunction and suboptimal fetal growth is unclear. To date, limited data exist correlating the mechanical properties of placentae with fetal growth. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between placental shear wave velocity (SWV) and ultrasound estimated fetal weight (EFW), and to ascertain if placental SWV is a suitable proxy measure of placental function in the surveillance of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies. Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study compared the difference in placental SWV between SGA and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) pregnancies. There were 221 women with singleton pregnancies in the study cohort-136 (61.5%) AGA and 85 (38.5%) SGA. Fetal biometry, Doppler velocimetry, the deepest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid, and mean SWV were measured at 2-4-weekly intervals from recruitment to birth. Results: There was no difference in mean placental SWV in SGA pregnancies compared to AGA pregnancies, nor was there any relationship to EFW. Conclusions: Although other studies have shown some correlation between increased placental stiffness and SGA pregnancies, our investigation did not support this. The mechanical properties of placental tissue in SGA pregnancies do not result in placental SWVs that are apparently different from those of AGA controls. As this study did not differentiate between constitutionally or pathologically small fetuses, further studies in growth-restricted cohorts would be of benefit.
摘要:
背景/目标:剪切波弹性成像(SWE)作为超声生物测量和多普勒测速检查的辅助手段,用于检查胎盘功能障碍和次优胎儿生长尚不清楚。迄今为止,胎盘的力学特性与胎儿生长相关的数据有限。本研究旨在探讨胎盘剪切波速度(SWV)与超声估测胎儿体重(EFW)的关系,并确定胎盘SWV是否是胎龄较小(SGA)妊娠监测中胎盘功能的合适替代指标。方法:本前瞻性,观察性队列研究比较了SGA和适合胎龄(AGA)妊娠之间胎盘SWV的差异.在研究队列中,有221名单胎妊娠妇女-136(61.5%)AGA和85(38.5%)SGA。胎儿生物测定,多普勒测速仪,羊水最深的垂直口袋,从招募到出生,以2-4周的间隔测量平均SWV。结果:与AGA妊娠相比,SGA妊娠的平均胎盘SWV没有差异,与EFW也没有任何关系。结论:尽管其他研究表明胎盘硬度增加与SGA妊娠之间存在一定的相关性,我们的调查不支持这一点。SGA妊娠中胎盘组织的机械特性不会导致明显不同于AGA对照的胎盘SWV。由于这项研究没有区分体质或病理上的小胎儿,生长受限队列的进一步研究将是有益的.