Evaluation of Anterior Middle Brain Structures With Cerebrovascular Flow in Fetuses With Fetal Growth Restriction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects up to 10% of all pregnancies. The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) adopts the Delphi consensus criteria for the definition of FGR. These criteria include estimated fetal weight (EFW) or abdominal circumference (AC) < 3rd percentile or EFW or AC < 10th percentile with abnormal Doppler findings or decreased growth percentiles. FGR is a cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. These perinatal outcomes include cardiovascular, endocrine and neurodevelopmental disorders. Fetal growth restriction, which is associated with lower neurobehavioral test scores, is associated with significant postnatal costs for both the health care system and families. Previous literature has shown that three-dimensional ultrasonography of intracranial structures reveals significant differences between fetuses with FGR and gestational age-appropriate (AGA) fetuses. However, the limited use of three-dimensional ultrasonography has hindered clinical applications. The frontal Anterior-Posterior Diameter (FAPD)/Occipital-Frontal Diameter (OFD) ratio has recently been used to assess frontal lobe development in fetuses with congenital heart disease. The FAPD is obtained by measuring from the inner line of the frontal bone along the fetal brain midline to the posterior edge of the CSP. This measurement refers to the frontal lobe of the fetal cerebrum. This study was designed to investigate the FAPD/ OFD ratio and frontal lobe development in fetuses with FGR and to evaluate cerebrovascular flow and anterior midbrain structures in FGR fetuses.