Importance of ductus venosus Doppler assessment for fetal outcome in cases of intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: The measurement and evaluation of ductus venosus (DV) blood flow velocity waveform in high-risk pregnancies has been studied intensively in recent years in order to find a more intermediate signal of fetal compromise. Our objective was to study the fetal outcome of pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and normal pulsatility of DV compared to an IUGR group with increased DV pulsatility.

Methods: The outcome of 42 fetuses before 32 weeks of gestational age without chromosomal or structural aberrations was analyzed.

Comparison of Doppler sonographic examinations of the umbilical and uterine arteries in high-risk pregnancies.

Objective: To determine the value of Doppler ultrasonographic examinations of the uterine artery in high-risk collectives and their importance as compared to examinations of the umbilical artery.

Methods: In 142 patients with fetal growth retardation (birth weight <10th percentile) and/or pre-eclampsia/HELLP syndrome (as defined by ACOG criteria), the umbilical artery and the uterine arteries were examined bilaterally using a 3.5/5-MHz color Doppler system (Acuson 128).