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The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Volume 33, 2020 - Issue 5
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Original Article

Measuring fetal adipose tissue using 3D water-fat magnetic resonance imaging: a feasibility study

Stephanie A. GizaDepartment of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; ORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5191-9576View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Craig OlmsteadSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; View further author information
,
Daniel A. McCooeyeDepartment of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; View further author information
,
Michael R. MillerChildren’s Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; View further author information
,
Deborah A. PenavaSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaView further author information
,
Genevieve D. EastabrookSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9184-2796View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Charles A. McKenzieDepartment of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9614-1582View further author information
ORCID Icon &
Barbra de VrijerSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; ;Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4823-9753View further author information
ORCID Icon show all
Pages 831-837 | Received 18 Dec 2017, Accepted 26 Jul 2018, Published online: 06 Sep 2018
 
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Abstract

Purpose: Analysis of fetal adipose tissue volumes may provide useful insight towards assessment of overall fetal health, especially in cases with abnormal fetal growth. Here, we assess whether fetal adipose tissue volume can be reliably measured using 3D water-fat MRI, using a quantitative assessment of the lipid content of tissues.

Materials and methods: Seventeen women with singleton pregnancies underwent a fetal MRI and water-only and fat-only images were acquired (modified 2-point Dixon technique). Water and fat images were used to generate a fat signal fraction (fat/(water + fat)) from which subcutaneous adipose tissue was segmented along the fetal trunk. Inter-rater (three readers) and intrarater reliability was assessed using intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICC) for 10 image sets. Relationships between adipose tissue measurements and gestational age and estimated fetal weight percentiles were examined.

Results: The ICC of the inter-rater reliability was 0.936 (p < .001), and the ICC of the intrarater reliability was 0.992 (p < .001). Strong positive correlations were found between adipose tissue measurements (lipid volume, lipid volume/total fetal volume, mean fat signal fraction) and gestational age.

Conclusions: 3D water-fat MRI can reliably measure volume and quantify lipid content of fetal subcutaneous adipose tissues.

Acknowledgments

We thank Jennifer Ryder and Laura McMurphy, Research Assistants, for their help with recruitment and scheduling of MRIs, data collection and preparation of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

McKenzie receives research support from GE Healthcare.

Additional information

Funding

McKenzie receives research support from GE Healthcare. CIHR/IHDCYH/SOGC Team Grant: Clinician-Investigator Teams in Obstetrics & Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM-146443) and Children’s Health Research Institute Translational Research Grant (BdV) and Canada Research Chairs (#950–228038), NSERC (RGPIN-356310–2013), and Western Strategic Support for CIHR Success (CMcK).

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