T2* weighted fetal MRI and the correlation with placental dysfunction. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baadsgaard, Kirstine; Hansen, Ditte N.; Peters, David A.; Frøkjær, Jens B.; Sinding, Marianne; Sørensen, Anne
• Is Part Of: Placenta. Volume 131(2023)
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Fetal growth restriction -- Fetal oxygenation -- Low birth weight -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Transverse relaxation -- T2*; Placenta -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; 612.63
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.12.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4004

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Transverse relaxation time (T2*) is related to tissue oxygenation and morphology. We aimed to describe T2* weighted MRI in selected fetal organs in normal pregnancies, and to investigate the correlation between fetal organ T2* and placental T2*, birthweight (BW) deviation, and redistribution of fetal blood flow. Methods: T2*-weighted MRI was performed in 126 singleton pregnancies between 23+6- and 41+3-weeks' gestation. The T2* value was obtained from the placenta and fetal organs (brain, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen). In normal BW pregnancies (BW > 10th centile), the correlation between the T2* value and gestational age (GA) at MRI was estimated by linear regression. The correlation between fetal organ Z-score and BW group was demonstrated by boxplots and investigated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each organ. Results: In normal BW pregnancies fetal organ T2* was negatively correlated with GA. We found a significant correlation between BW group and fetal organ T2* z-score in the fetal heart, kidney, lung and spleen. A positive linear correlation was demonstrated between fetal organ T2* and outcomes related to placental function such as BW deviation and placenta T2* in all investigated fetal organs except for the fetal liver. In the fetal heart, kidneys, and spleen the T2* value showed a significant correlation with fetal redistribution of blood flow (Middle cerebral artery Pulsatility Index) before delivery. Discussion: Fetal T2* is correlated with BW, placental function, and redistribution of fetal blood flow, suggesting that fetal organ T2* reflects fetal oxygenation and morphological changes related to placental dysfunction. Highlights: The transversal relaxation time (T2*) is related to tissue oxygenation. It is feasible to obtain reliable fetal T2* values from selected fetal organs. Fetal organ T2* is reduced in low BW pregnancies compared to normal BW pregnancies. Fetal organ T2* is associated with redistribution of fetal blood flow at delivery. Fetal organ T2* may depict fetal oxygenation changes related to placental dysfunction.