Evaluation of fetal cardiac output in preterm premature rupture ofmembranes

Aim: We aimed to investigate fetal cardiac output (CO) in pregnancies with preterm premature rupture ofmembranes (PPROM) and its relationshipwith umbilical cord pH. Methods: This was a prospective study in total 90 pregnancies at 24-37 weeks gestation including 42 pregnancies with PPROMand 48 that healthy controls. Fetal cardiac function including combined, left and right CO z-scores were compared. The neonates in the PPROMgroup were separatedwith umbilical cord pH above and below 7.25, and cardiac output was compared between groups. Results: In PPROM group, CCO z-score, left cardiac output (LCO) z-score, and right cardiac output (RCO) were significantly lower compared to healthy pregnancies (p =.036, p =.001, p =.032, respectively), while RCO z-score showed no significant differences between the two groups. The aortic annulus and pulmonary artery annulus z-scores were measured smaller in the PPROM group (p =.000 and p =.001, respectively). In PPROMgroup, the fetal LCOz-score was significantly lower in neonateswith an umbilical cord pH of 7.25 or less (p =.048). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that fetalCCOis lower in PPROMcompared with healthy pregnancies. Reduced LCO z-scores may be useful for predicting adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with PPROM.