Cardiac left heart morphology and function in newborns with intrauterine growth restriction: relevance for long-term assessment.

Abstract

To asses the cardiac morphology and functional changes specific for newborns from intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR) pregnancies. A cohort of IUGR infants were evaluated by serial echocardiographies at deliveryand at the first and six months follow-ups. IUGR newborn delivery status was compared to that of newborns in the controlgroup according to gestational age (AGA). Left heart measurements were significantly lower in IUGR newbornscompared to AGA babies. Left ventricular size increased at follow-up inthe IUGR group (p<0.05). Systolic dysfunction (the myocardial performance index (MPI)> 0.47) was identified in 40% of the neonates in the IUGR group (16/40), respectively4.76% in the control group. IUGR neonates had a significantly increased proportion of systolic malfunction (p=0.004). IUGR patients had reduced left ventricle dimensions compared to AGA babies. The MPI stands out as a marker of leftheart function in newborns. Systolic dysfunction was a hallmark of the cardiac adaptation in IUGR neonates.