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Fetal Myocardial Function as Assessed by N-Terminal Fragment Brain Natriuretic Protein in Premature Fetuses Exposed to Intra-amniotic Inflammation
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Fetal Myocardial Function as Assessed by N-Terminal Fragment Brain Natriuretic Protein in Premature Fetuses Exposed to Intra-amniotic Inflammation

Roxanna A. Irani, Catalin S. Buhimschi, Sarah N. Cross, Guomao Zhao, Joshua A. Copel, Vineet Bhandari, Irina A. Buhimschi and Mert Ozan Bahtiyar
American journal of perinatology, v 37(7), pp 745-753
23 May 2019
PMID: 31121635

Abstract

Original Article
Abstract Objective  To determine the relationship between fetal exposure to intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) and fetal heart ventricular function as assessed by circulatory levels of N-terminal fragment brain natriuretic protein (NT-proBNP) and the Tei index. Study Design  We analyzed 70 samples of paired amniotic fluid (AF) and cord blood retrieved from mothers who delivered preterm at <34 weeks as follows: Yes-IAI ( n  = 36) and No-IAI ( n  = 34). IAI was diagnosed by amniocentesis and AF mass spectrometry. Fetal exposure to inflammation was determined through the evaluation of cord blood haptoglobin (Hp) switch-on status and level, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Fetal heart function was assessed by cord blood NT-proBNP immunoassay and fetal echocardiogram (Tei index). Results  IAI was characterized by significantly higher levels of AF ( p  < .001) and umbilical cord IL-6 ( p  = 0.004). Cord blood Hp levels and frequency of switch-on status were higher in fetuses exposed to IAI ( p  < 0.001, both). Fetuses exposed to IAI did not have higher levels of NT-proBNP. Following correction for gestational age and race, neither cord blood NT-proBNP nor the Tei index was significantly different in fetuses with Hp switched-on status ( p  > 0.05, both). Conclusion  Fetal myocardial left ventricular function does not seem to be significantly impaired in fetuses born alive due to IAI if delivery of the fetus occurs immediately following the diagnosis of IAI.

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#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pediatrics
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