Fetal epicardial fat thickness in non-severe idiopathic polyhydramnios: Its impact on fetal cardiac function and perinatal outcomes.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) along with fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and its effects on perinatal outcomes in non-severe idiopathic polyhydramnios (IP). This prospective study included 92 participants, 32 diagnosed with non-severe IP, and 60 healthy pregnant women. Amniotic fluid indices (AFI), umbilical and middle cerebral artery Doppler, EFT, and MPI measurements were performed for all patients. The fetal EFT and MPI values were statistically higher in the non-severe IP group than in the control group (p = 0.0001, p = 0.014, respectively). The optimal fetal EFT cutoff value for predicting non-severe IP disease was found as 1.3 mm with a specificity of 81.7% and sensitivity of 59.4%. The EFT cutoff for predicting cesarean section in non-severe IP cases was 1.25 mm (p = 0.038). Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit, respiratory distress syndrome, and stillbirth rates were not different between groups. In this study, EFT and MPI were found to be higher in non-severe IP cases compared to controls. It was observed that the increase in MPI and EFT was associated with the increase in cesarean rates, but not with adverse fetal outcomes.