Objective: This study aims to evaluate cardiac function
in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
compared with healthy fetuses, using the left modified
myocardial performance index (MPI) and the association
between MPI and perinatal outcome.
Methods: Pregnant women between 34 and 39 weeks of
gestation, who met the criteria for IUGR and were scheduled
for delivery at an Egyptian tertiary medical center,
were prospectively enrolled in the study. Women in the
same gestational-age group with uncomplicated pregnancies
were included as a control group. MPI was measured
in all fetuses. The IUGR group was analyzed based on
normal and abnormal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler. Perinatal
outcomes were recorded.
Results: The mean left MPI was significantly higher in
IUGR fetuses with abnormal UA Doppler (mean 0.58 ± SD
0.093) compared with healthy fetuses (mean 0.45 ± SD
0.070) (P < 0.001). IUGR fetuses with abnormal left MPI
showed significantly worse perinatal outcome and
increased morbidity compared with the control group.
IUGR fetuses with abnormal left MPI also showed significantly
worse perinatal outcome compared with IUGR
fetuses with normal MPI (whether the UA Doppler was
normal or abnormal). The fetal MPI was associated with
the severity of fetal compromise in IUGR fetuses based on
the perinatal outcome.
Conclusion: MPI is a potentially useful tool in evaluating
fetuses with suspected IUGR, which is crucial in classifying
IUGR pregnancies into critical and non-critical cases
and in predicting neonatal outcome.
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