EC Gynaecology

Objective: To assess whether fetal cardiovascular score and myocardial performance index (MPI) are associated with worse neonatal outcomes in fetuses diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) followed at the Clinics Hospital of UFMG in 2022.

Methodology: This is a prospective and longitudinal study that included patients followed at the high-risk prenatal care at the Clinics Hospital of UFMG for IUGR. The fetuses were monitored with Doppler velocimetry, and the timing of delivery was guided according to institutional protocol. Fetal cardiac function was evaluated using the fetal cardiovascular score and MPI, and perinatal outcomes were assessed. Statistical association tests included calculation of odds ratio (OR), Fisher's exact test, Student's t, and Pearson's correlation test.

Results: It was identified associations between an increased risk of death for cases where there were alterations in the percentile of umbilical artery doppler, fetal cardiovascular score, and ductus venosus. Associations were also observed between the outcome of death and lower mean CPR percentiles, lower ICT values, lower gestational ages at birth, as well as associations with higher mean percentiles of uterine artery Doppler and TE values. An association was also identified between neonatal death and alteration of MPI parameters, as well as the correlation of this and lower Apgar scores at 5 minutes.

Conclusion: The parameters of fetal cardiovascular score and myocardial performance index, as well as alterations in fetal Doppler velocimetry, are associated with worse neonatal outcomes.

 Keywords: Intrauterine Growth Restriction; Fetal Echocardiography; Fetal Doppler Velocimetry; Huhta's Cardiovascular Score; Myocardial Performance Index

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