Placental chemical elements concentration in small fetuses and its relationship with Doppler markers of placental function

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) 2021-07, Vol.110, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Gómez-Roig, MD, Mazarico, E., Cuadras, D., Muniesa, M., Pascal, R., Ferrer, P., Cantallops, M., Arraez, M., Gratacós, E., Falcon, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cohort Studies; Doppler markers; Element concentration; Elements; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - diagnostic imaging; Fetal Growth Retardation - metabolism; Fetal Growth Retardation - pathology; Fetal Growth Retardation - physiopathology; Fetal Weight; Fetus - diagnostic imaging; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Male; Maternal-Fetal Exchange - physiology; Placenta; Placenta - chemistry; Placenta - diagnostic imaging; Placenta - metabolism; Placenta - physiopathology; Placental function; Placental Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging; Placental Insufficiency - metabolism; Placental Insufficiency - pathology; Placental Insufficiency - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Small fetuses; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.05.001

In this study, we aimed at quantifying placental concentrations of 22 chemical elements in small fetuses (SGA) as compared with normally grown fetuses (AGA), and to assess the relationship with Doppler markers of placental function. Prospective cohort study, including 71 SGA fetuses (estimated fetal weight  10th percentile), recruited in the third trimester of gestation. The placental concentration of 22 chemical elements was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES, ICAP 6500 Duo Thermo): aluminum (Al), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), sulfur (S), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), thallium (Tl), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). Placental function was assessed by measuring the following fetal-maternal parameters: Uterine artery Pulsatility Index (UtA PI), Umbilical artery Pulsatility Index (UA PI) and Middle Cerebral artery Pulsatility Index (MCA PI). The association between the chemical elements concentration and study group and the association with Doppler measures were evaluated. SGA was associated with significantly (p