SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY: A NOVEL APPROACH TO PREDICTING ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOMES THROUGH PLACENTAL STIFFNESS
Creators: name: Bhavya Sree Chevvu
name: Sanjay Kanth Balachandar
name: Paarthipan Natarajan
name: Karthik Krishna Ramakrishnan
name: Sakthi Ganesh Subramonian
name: Karpagam Kanadasan
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Shear Wave Elastography (Swe), Placental Stiffness, High-Risk Pregnancies, Placental Thickness, Fetal Birth Weight, Early Prediction

description: Abstract

Background: Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) is an ultrasound technology used to measure tissue stiffness, including the placenta. Placental stiffness is an important indicator of placental function, which is crucial for fetal well-being. In high-risk pregnancies, such as those with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental function may be compromised, leading to adverse outcomes. Therefore, assessing placental stiffness using SWE could provide valuable insights into placental health and help in early prediction of high-risk pregnancies. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting placental elasticity using SWE and to correlate placental stiffness with placental thickness and fetal birth weight for early prediction of high-risk pregnancies. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital. A total of 200 pregnant women in their second trimester were included in the study. Placental stiffness was measured using SWE at different locations of the placenta. Placental thickness was measured at the umbilical cord insertion site, and fetal birth weight was estimated. Results: In this study, 200 pregnant women in their second trimester were evaluated using SWE. The mean placental stiffness was 2.1 ± 1.06 kPa, with 91% of cases showing normal stiffness and 9% exhibiting abnormal stiffness. The mean fetal weight was 854 ± 680 grams, and the mean placental thickness was 37.4 ± 7.3 mm. There was a significant correlation between placental stiffness and both placental thickness and fetal birth weight, suggesting that changes in placental stiffness could reflect alterations in placental structure and function. Additionally, abnormal placental stiffness was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, IUGR, low birth weight, and poor APGAR scores, highlighting the potential of SWE as a diagnostic tool for early identification of high-risk pregnancies. Discussion: Placental stiffness measured by SWE can provide valuable information about placental function. The correlation between placental stiffness, thickness, and fetal birth weight can aid in the early prediction of high-risk pregnancies, such as those at risk for preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and low birth weight (LBW). Conclusion: SWE is a useful tool for evaluating placental stiffness and its correlation with placental thickness and fetal birth weight. This technique can help in the early identification of high-risk pregnancies and may contribute to better pregnancy outcomes through timely intervention.