Evaluation of Intracranial Structures of Fetuses With Congenital Heart Defects

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2023-02, Vol.42 (2), p.419-425
• Main Authors: Turgut, Ezgi, Özdemir, Halis, Turan, Gokce, Karcaaltıncaba, Deniz, Bayram, Merih
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: brain structures; cerebral blood flow oxygenation; congenital heart defect; Female; Fetus; Head - diagnostic imaging; Heart Defects, Congenital - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Transposition of Great Vessels; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.1002/jum.16049

Objectives We classified congenital heart defects (CHDs) according to cerebral blood flow oxygenation and aimed to evaluate the effect on the size of brain structures in these fetuses. Methods The study which was designed retrospectively, included 28 patients with fetal CHDs and 76 patients without fetal anomalies. Results The width and length of the cavum septum pellucidum significantly increased in the CHD group (P = .002, P = .004). The biparietal diameter and z scores were significantly lower in the single ventricle (SV) (P = .006, P = .019), and the head circumference (HC) and z scores were significantly lower in the transposition of great arteries (TGA) (P = .013, P = .038). The transverse cerebellar diameter, the cerebellar HC and the cerebellar hemisphere area values were lower in the SV (P = .005, P = .017, P = .044). Conclusions Brain structure changes are more pronounced in groups with low cerebral oxygenation, especially in the SV and the TGA. Access the CME test here and search by article title.