Fetal cardiac function before labor predicts adverse perinatal outcome

Current antepartum surveillance based on fetal biometry and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) has limited ability to identify fetuses at risk of intrapartum compromise, as adverse outcomes may occur despite normal growth and Doppler findings. This study evaluated whether quantitative fetal cardiac geometry and myocardial deformation assessed before induction of labor can identify high-risk fetuses with normal CPR at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome.