title: Lactate detection in the brain of growth-restricted fetuses with magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of detecting fetal brain lactate, a marker of fetal metabolic acidemia, using a noninvasive technique, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS), in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo human fetal brain lactate detection was determined by (1)H MRS in 5 fetuses with IUGR. Oxygenation and acid-base balance data were obtained at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1)H MRS analysis showed the presence of a lactate peak in the brain of the most severely affected IUGR fetus, with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler and fetal heart rate tracing. This finding was consistent with the low oxygen content and high lactic acid concentration observed in umbilical blood obtained at delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (1)H MRS allows the noninvasive detection of cerebral lactate in IUGR fetuses. Lactate detected by (1)H MRS may represent a possible marker of in utero cerebral injury or underperfusion.
authors.affiliation: Center for Fetal Research Giorgio Pardi, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barberis
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brusati
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brighina
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mandia
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arighi
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Radaelli
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biondetti
authors.forename: Nereo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bresolin
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pardi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rango
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid