Assessment of fetal cardiac morphology and function in fetal growth restriction: insights from fetal heart quantification technology.

Background: Research indicates that fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) exhibit cardiac changes before abnormal Doppler blood flow is detected, but the predictive value of these cardiac parameters for diagnosing FGR remains uncertain. Fetal heart quantification (Fetal HQ), a novel technology for assessing fetal heart shape, size, and contractility, was evaluated in this study in terms of its effectiveness in detecting heart changes associated with FGR. Methods: From January 2023 to July 2023, 38 fetuses with FGR and 44 gestational-age-matched controls were selected at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. All participants underwent routine obstetric ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, and Fetal HQ. Cardiovascular parameters, the sphericity index (SI), and fractional shortening (FS) of 24 segments in both ventricles, along with their standard scores (Z-scores), were documented. The participants were followed up until birth, and then clinical data and cardiovascular measurements were collected and analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in age, height, or body mass index (BMI) between the fetuses with FGR and the controls [age: 30.32±4.18 Conclusions: FGR fetuses exhibited notable cardiac abnormalities and impaired ventricular function. Fetal HQ technology can effectively evaluate these cardiac changes, offering crucial insights for clinical antenatal care.