Speckle Tracking Echocardiography as a Tool for Early Diagnosis of Impaired Fetal Growth Twin Pregnancies

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

sample collection: blood sample at 21 weeks of gestation clips of the fetal heart at 21 weeks of gestation, 30 weeks of gestation and 1-3 days after birth collection of umbilical cord blood at birth collection of the placenta at birth

Study summary

In this project there are 2 time points during the pregnancy included, namely at 21 weeks and 30 weeks of gestation, to measure the predictive values of FGR, strain and strain rate. The fetal growth parameters will be collected at the same time points, to define the growth (differences) throughout gestation of both fetuses. A maternal blood sample will be taken at 21 weeks of gestation to identify the level of exposure to air pollution (black carbon) and the level of biochemical markers of placental dysfunction. Doppler ultrasounds will be used for antenatal identification of placenta insufficiency. At birth, umbilical cord blood and the placenta will be collected. The placenta will be examined, to identify morphological findings which are associated with FGR. The umbilical cord blood and placental biopsy will be used for the level of exposure to air pollution and the level of oxidative stress. One to three days after birth, neonatal strain and strain rate will be measured to define postnatal cardiac remodeling as well as the neonatal blood pressure as cardiovascular risk factor.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• To assess the change in strain measured by speckle tracking echocardiography as a tool for early diagnosis of impaired fetal growth in multiple gestations — Prenatal to 1-3 days after birth
  to determine the change in fetal strain and strain rate in twin pregnancies in comparison with fetal growth
• To determine the intra-pair differences in fetal growth and strain (cardiac remodeling) in multiple gestations. — Prenatal to 1-3 days after birth
  to compare changes in strain and strain rate with fetal growth within 1 twin pair
• To compare the strain values (cardiac remodeling) between singletons and twin pregnancies — Prenatal to 1-3 days after birth
  to compare the changes in strain and strain rate between singletons and twin pregnancies

Trial sites (3)

More University Hospital, Ghent trials in the Netherlands