Characterisation of pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia using MRI

Maternal cardiac, placental and fetal brain anatomical and functional MRI was obtained in 63 pregnancies, including 12 with pre-eclampsia. In pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia, placental T2* was significantly reduced compared to normal pregnancy. All women with placental histopathological anomalies consistent with pre-eclampsia showed a reduced placental T2*. Fetal brain T2* was significantly lower in women with pre-eclampsia than those without, although brain volume was maintained. In women with pre-eclampsia, reduced fetal brain T2* was associated with middle cerebral artery Doppler abnormalities. Cardiac work was increased in women with pre-eclampsia.