OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to investigate the prenatal influence of congenital heart defects (CHD) on trajectories of fetal cortical folding using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US). METHOD: We included 20 CHD fetuses and 193 controls for studying the fetal brain at 22, 26 and 32 weeks' gestational age (GA). The Sylvian, insula and parieto-occipital fissure (POF) depths were measured using 3D US, and reliability was evaluated. Doppler indices of the umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery were measured to calculate the cerebro-placental ratio. Associations between CHD and cortical folding were estimated using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Brain fissure measurements were successful in over 80% of 3D US scans, except for the POF at 32 weeks' GA (65%). All measurements showed a good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.84). Growth trajectories of the left insula depth (ß = -2.753, 95% CI = -5.375; -0.130, p = 0.040) and right POF (ß = -3.762, 95% CI = -7.178; -0.346, p = 0.031) were decreased in CHD compared with controls, whereas growth rates were increased (ß = 0.014, 95% CI = 0.001; 0.027, p = 0.036 and ß = 0.024, 95% CI = 0.007; 0.041, p = 0.006). In contrast to controls, we found no associations between cerebro-placental ratio and cortical folding in CHD. CONCLUSION: Fetal cortical folding can be evaluated reliably by measuring brain fissure depths. Trajectories of cortical folding between 22 and 32 weeks' GA seem to be influenced by CHD.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to investigate the prenatal influence of congenital heart defects (CHD) on trajectories of fetal cortical folding using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US). METHOD: We included 20 CHD fetuses and 193 controls for studying the fetal brain at 22, 26 and 32 weeks' gestational age (GA). The Sylvian, insula and parieto-occipital fissure (POF) depths were measured using 3D US, and reliability was evaluated. Doppler indices of the umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery were measured to calculate the cerebro-placental ratio. Associations between CHD and cortical folding were estimated using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Brain fissure measurements were successful in over 80% of 3D US scans, except for the POF at 32 weeks' GA (65%). All measurements showed a good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.84). Growth trajectories of the left insula depth (ß = -2.753, 95% CI = -5.375; -0.130, p = 0.040) and right POF (ß = -3.762, 95% CI = -7.178; -0.346, p = 0.031) were decreased in CHD compared with controls, whereas growth rates were increased (ß = 0.014, 95% CI = 0.001; 0.027, p = 0.036 and ß = 0.024, 95% CI = 0.007; 0.041, p = 0.006). In contrast to controls, we found no associations between cerebro-placental ratio and cortical folding in CHD. CONCLUSION: Fetal cortical folding can be evaluated reliably by measuring brain fissure depths. Trajectories of cortical folding between 22 and 32 weeks' GA seem to be influenced by CHD.
Authors: Sheila M Everwijn; Jiska F van Bohemen; Nan van Geloven; Fenna A Jansen; Aalbertine K Teunissen; Lieke Rozendaal; Nico Blom; Jan M van Lith; Monique C Haak Journal: Prenat Diagn Date: 2021-09-19 Impact factor: 3.242
Authors: Sofie C Husen; Irene V Koning; Attie T J I Go; Anne W van Graafeiland; Sten P Willemsen; Irene A L Groenenberg; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-05-23 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Sheila M P Everwijn; Ana I L Namburete; Nan van Geloven; Fenna A R Jansen; Aris T Papageorghiou; Aalbertine K Teunissen; Lieke Rozendaal; Nico Blom; Jan M van Lith; Monique C Haak Journal: Prenat Diagn Date: 2020-09-07 Impact factor: 3.050
Authors: Melek Rousian; Sam Schoenmakers; Alex J Eggink; Dionne V Gootjes; Anton H J Koning; Maria P H Koster; Annemarie G M G J Mulders; Esther B Baart; Irwin K M Reiss; Joop S E Laven; Eric A P Steegers; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 7.196