Cardiac Morphology in Neonates With Fetal Growth Restriction

Abstract Objective: Assess effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on cardiac modelling in premature and term neonates. Study design: Prospective echocardiographic cohort study comparing FGR neonates (n=21) and controls (n=41) with normal prenatal growth and circulation. Results: Unadjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex and twin/singleton, Late-FGR neonates had smaller hearts than controls, with globular left ventricles and symmetrical right ventricles. Adjusted estimates showed smaller left ventricles and similarly sized right ventricles, with symmetrical left and right ventricles. Early-FGR (compared with Late-FGR) had smaller hearts and globular left ventricles in unadjusted estimates, but after adjustment, sizes and shapes were similar. Conclusion: FGR had significant impact on cardiac modelling, both unadjusted and when adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex and twin/singleton. The adjustments, however, refined the results notably and represents more specific the effects of FGR, thus underscoring the importance of adjustments in such studies.