Fetal Sylvian Fissure Maturation in Congenital Heart Disease and Its Relation to Expected Brain Arterial Oxygen Saturation: A Longitudinal Study.

Key Points

• This study examines the relationship between delayed Sylvian fissure maturation and expected brain oxygen saturation in fetuses with congenital heart disease.
• Longitudinal assessment of fetal development
• Measurement of Sylvian fissure depth
• Calculation of SF depth/insula depth ratio and SF depth/HC ratio
• Monitoring cerebral arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂)
• Fetuses with congenital heart disease exhibit delayed development of the Sylvian fissure
• Reduced expected arterial oxygen saturation correlates with delayed fissure maturation
• Assessment methods for cortical folding show reliable results.