Placental morphology assessment in growth-restricted fetuses using MRI

Motivation: Current imaging methods for placental assessment are challenging and yield inconsistent results in evaluating fetal growth restriction (FGR). Goal(s): To assess placental morphology features based on structural MRI in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and FGR fetuses. Approach: Data of 141 fetuses (104 AGA, 37 FGR) were included, and morphological features including umbilical-cord insertion location, placental volume, shape features and maternal and fetal sides surface areas, were extracted. Results: FGR placentas showed more marginal cord insertions, reduced volumes and diameters, and reduced maternal surfaces and maternal-to-total surface ratios. Morphological analysis may provide a simple tool to identify fetuses at risk for FGR. Impact: Placental morphology features based on structural MRI, including umbilical cord insertion site, placental volume, and maternal surface areas, demonstrated significant alterations in growth-restricted fetuses, and may provide a simple tool to improve identification of fetuses at risk for FGR.