Effect of moderate and severe anemia on fetal cerebral hemodynamic

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of moderate and severe anemia on fetal cerebral hemodynamic. prospective study. This study was carried out in Al-Hussein University Hospital, from May 2003 to May 2004. The study carried out on 30 pregnancies with moderate anemia [maternal hemoglobin level less than 10 gm/dl and more than 6 gm/dl] group I and 6 pregnancies with severe anemia [maternal hemoglobin level less than 6 gm/dl] group II. Group II only with severe anemia was admitted to Al-Hussein Hospital. All pregnant women and fetuses were investigated on the first visit, doppler ultrasound was carried out on umbilical and cerebral fetal blood vessels and re-evaluated after treatment. The cerebral and umbilical doppler indices, amniotic fluid index and biometry were lower in group II at first visit. After treatment, the cerebral index and the cerebral to umbilical resistance ratio increased only in group II. Severe anemia leads to fetal cerebral vasodilatation and reduced amniotic fluid volume