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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2721-6039
Original Article

A Longitudinal Assessment of Shear Wave Elastography of the Placenta in Normal Pregnancy

Autoren

  • Jerri Waller

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States

  • Rebecca Horgan 

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States

  • Elena Sinkovskaya

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States

  • George Saade

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States
    2   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas, United States

  • Erkan Kalafat

    3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koc University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

  • Aimee Heeze

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States

  • Alfred Abuhamad

    1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Virginia, United States

Funding Information This study was supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) funded study on the Human Placenta Project (HD 086313–01).
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to use shear wave elastography (SWE) to longitudinally evaluate placental elasticity in normal human pregnancy, and to develop reference ranges for its use at various gestational ages throughout pregnancy.

Study Design

Data were obtained from a prospective cohort within the Human Placenta Project, involving 90 pregnant participants with uncomplicated singleton gestations. Placental elasticity was measured using SWE at eight distinct gestational time points, from 12 to 37 weeks. Descriptive statistics were reported as median and interquartile for continuous variables, and number and percentage of the total for categorical variables. Distribution of response variables (elastography) were assessed with QQ-plots, skewness, and kurtosis values. Candidate models were compared with likelihood ratio tests.

Results

Out of the 610 pregnant participants initially enrolled, 90 met the criteria for the reference population. Mean SWE values showed a steady increase with advancing gestational age, from 1.283 m per second (m/s) at 12 to 13 weeks to 1.381 m/s at 36 to 37 weeks. Similarly, Young's modulus values increased from 4.99 kPA to 5.59 kPA across the same interval. SWE values were consistent across different placental regions and showed a continuous upward trend with gestational age. Gestational age was significantly associated with SWE values in the central placenta, with fitted reference ranges provided.

Conclusion

SWE is a feasible and reproducible tool for assessing placental stiffness throughout gestation.

Key Points

  • Placental SWE rises steadily from 12 to 37 weeks in normal pregnancy.

  • We present gestational age–specific reference ranges for SWE throughout gestation.

  • SWE values are consistent across placental regions.

Keywords

Placenta - ultrasound - shear wave elastography - reference range


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 18. August 2025

Angenommen: 12. Oktober 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
14. Oktober 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
30. Oktober 2025

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