title: Maternal arterial elasticity in the first trimester as a predictor of birthweight.
abstract: The early detection of foetal growth restriction and macrosomia is an important goal of modern obstetric care. Aberrant foetal growth is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Current modalities for detecting the abnormal foetal growth are often inadequate. Pulse wave analysis using applanation tonometry is a simple and non-invasive test that provides information about the cardiovascular system. Arterial elasticity has previously been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular disease. Our study examined the relationship between maternal arterial elasticity and birthweight by using pulse wave analysis. We discovered that increased large artery elasticity predicted a larger baby at birth. Large artery elasticity therefore has the potential to act as a useful screening tool which may help in the prediction of women who are at risk of aberrant foetal growth.
authors.affiliation: a Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine Centre , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland .|b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland , and.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland , and.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Higgins
authors.affiliation: c UCD CSTAR, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science , University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Segurado
authors.affiliation: b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland , and.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: a Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine Centre , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland .|b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland , and.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.affiliation: a Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine Centre , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland .|b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction , Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland , and.
authors.forename: Máireád M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kennelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000502:physiology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: First trimester screening; applanation tonometry; arterial elasticity; birthweight; maternal pulse wave analysis