Detection of fetal lactate with two-dimensional-localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract

Antenatal surveillance is inefficient for accurately detecting fetal compromise. A noninvasive technique for assessing fetal metabolic status would be useful for clinical management. Fetal magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed at 20 weeks in a pregnancy complicated by severe intrauterine growth restriction to determine if lactate, a metabolite associated with fetal hypoxia, was present. Two-dimensional, single-slice proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was carried out at 1.5 T using a volume-selective, double-spin echo technique. Lactate was detected in fetal back muscle. Fetal death occurred the next day. Although this initial report is purely experimental, further development of this technique may prove to be a valuable noninvasive tool in the management of suspected fetal hypoxia.