Doppler flow velocimetry of the umbilical artery, uteroplacental arteries and fetal middle cerebral artery in prolonged pregnancy.

A total of 153 pregnant women, of at least 287 days' menstrual age, were studied in a prospectively designed cross-sectional trial. In addition to the non-stress test, contraction stress test, sonographic estimate of amniotic fluid and grade of placental maturation, Doppler measurements of the resistance index (RI) were taken in the umbilical artery, the uteroplacental arteries in the region of placental implantation and the fetal middle cerebral artery. Data were analyzed with regard to asphyxia and otherwise complicated fetal outcome.

Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis.

Doppler umbilical velocimetry is a useful clinical tool for antepartum fetal surveillance of pregnancies at risk of fetal compromise. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of fetal death, which might due to the toxic effect of elevated maternal serum concentrations of bile acids. To study a possible effect of the concentration of bile acids on the umbilical circulation we performed pulse-wave Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery in 15 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis between 34 and 38 weeks of gestation.

Effect of third-trimester premature rupture of membranes on fetal breathing movements: a prospective case-control study.

Fetal breathing movements were examined in 44 women with premature rupture of membranes. All had previously uncomplicated singleton pregnancies (28 to 41 weeks). Of these 44 women, 13 had complications based on later amnionitis/neonatal infection or antepartum fetal distress.