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The Fetal Spleen in Low-Risk Pregnancies and prior to Preterm Birth: Observational Study of the Role of Anatomical and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
- Source :
-
Fetal Diagnosis & Therapy . 2024, Vol. 51 Issue 5, p419-431. 13p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Introduction: Spontaneous preterm birth complicates ∼7% of pregnancies and causes morbidity and mortality. Although infection is a common etiology, our understanding of the fetal immune system in vivo is limited. This study aimed to utilize T2-weighted imaging and T2* relaxometry (which is a proxy of tissue oxygenation) of the fetal spleen in uncomplicated pregnancies and in fetuses that were subsequently delivered spontaneously prior to 32 weeks. Methods: Women underwent imaging including T2-weighted fetal body images and multi-eco gradient echo single-shot echo planar sequences on a Phillips Achieva 3T system. Previously described postprocessing techniques were applied to obtain T2- and T2*-weighted imaging of the fetal spleen and T2-weighted fetal body volumes. Results: Among 55 women with uncomplicated pregnancies, an increase in fetal splenic volume, splenic:body volume, and a decrease in splenic T2* signal intensity was demonstrated across gestation. Compared to controls, fetuses who were subsequently delivered prior to 32 weeks' gestation (n = 19) had a larger spleen when controlled for the overall size of the fetus (p = 0.027), but T2* was consistent (p = 0.76). Conclusion: These findings provide evidence of a replicable method of studying the fetal immune system and give novel results on the impact of impending preterm birth on the spleen. While T2* decreases prior to preterm birth in other organs, preservation demonstrated here suggests preferential sparing of the spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10153837
- Volume :
- 51
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Fetal Diagnosis & Therapy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 180117664
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000539607