Value of shear-wave elastography and cerebral–placental–uterine ratio in women diagnosed with preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to measure placental stiffness with shear-wave elastography technique and to evaluate the relationship with cerebral–placental–uterine ratio (CPUR) and adverse perinatal outcomes in patient groups diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the second and third trimesters compared to the control group.

Materials and methods

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at our hospital between March 2019 and March 2020. The study groups were divided into three groups: PE, FGR, and low risk pregnancy (LRP) group. The study population had singleton pregnancies and the placental site was at the anterior wall. Both shear-wave elasticity (SWE) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) were measured in the placenta during pregnancy. CPUR was calculated for each group.

Results

A total of 147 patients were included in this study. The mean SWE (kilopascals) values in the PE group were significantly higher than in the FGR and controls (difference of means = 3.67, 9.45; 95% CI (1.23–6.1, 7–11.8); p < .05), respectively. The mean SWV values were significantly higher in PE and FGR groups than controls (p < .05). CPUR showed correlation with central maternal surface of placenta (p: .02, r: −0.184), central fetal surface of placenta (p < .001, r: −0.288), peripheral maternal surface of placenta (p: .002, r: −0.252), and peripheral fetal surface of placenta SWE values (p: .03, r: −0.181). NICU admission was correlated with central fetal surface of placenta SWE values (p: .002, r: 0.258).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we demonstrated increased placental stiffness in both the PE and the FGR group. Also, this difference was found to be more prominent in preeclampsia. This technique seems useful for assessment of placental function and may strengthen the utility of Doppler parameters for predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.

Keywords:

• Cerebral–placental–uterine ratio
• fetal growth restriction
• placental stiffness
• preeclampsia
• shear-wave elastography

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to all healthcare staff who work with devotion for improving the health standards of the patients.

Author contributions

All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).