Fetal lung volume and pulmonary artery changes in congenital heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow: Quantitative ultrasound analysis

BackgroundIt has been reported that congenital heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow (CHD-DPBF) may affect postnatal lung morphogenesis and function. However, there has been a lack of information regarding the impact of CHD-DPBF on prenatal fetal lung development. MethodsFifty-four fetuses with CHD-DPBF were compared with 110 controls. Fetal lung volume (FLV) was estimated using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US). Estimated fetal weight (EFW) and McGoon index (MGI) were estimated using two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US). ResultsFLV/EFW and MGI values measured using sonography for the CHD-DPBF group were significantly reduced compared to those of the control group (P<.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the summed diameter of the right pulmonary artery and left pulmonary artery (RPA+LPA) measured by 2D-US correlated well with FLV measured by 3D-US. ConclusionsIn our study, FLV/EFW and MGI values for fetuses with CHD-DPBF tended to be decreased and FLV was associated with RPA+LPA. We concluded that CHD-DPBF might delay fetal lung development. The summed diameter of the RPA+LPA measurement could be used as an alternative to FLV for assessing fetal lung development.