Assessment of the Placenta in Intrauterine Growth Restriction by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Placental insufficiency is a major cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and seriously affects fetal development. When placental insufficiency happened, the diffusion of water molecule was restricted and the metabolic balance was destroyed in the placenta. In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in combination with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS) for placental insufficiency in IUGR.