ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized a difference in mean values for ultrasound biometry and Doppler flow velocity measurements in uteroplacental and fetal arterial vessels between subgroups with a subsequent normal and pathological [pathological fetal heart rate tracing, operative delivery due to fetal distress, thick meconium, IUGR < 10th centile, prematurity < 37 weeks, APGAR 5' < 7, umbilical artery pH < 7.20, neonatal pediatric hospitalisation] birth result in unselected pregnancies screened at 32 to 34 gestational weeks. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS: After having obtained informed consent we included 198 singleton pregnancies in an open prospective study and performed a single ultrasound assessment at 32 to 34 gestational weeks to collect biometry and Doppler flow velocity data: angle independent resistance indices (RI, PI) for uteroplacental and umbilical arteries, RI, PI and Vmean (mean blood flow velocity) after angel correction for fetal descending aorta and middle cerebral arteries, (ATL, Ultramark 9, HDI ESP, 4 - 7 MHz curved and 3 - 5 MHz phased array). After delivery, perinatal and neonatal data were collected and pregnancies were grouped accordingly (normal and pathological birth result). RESULTS: Of 198 pregnancies included, 58 fulfilled at least one of the established criteria for a pathological birth result and 17 were born growth restricted (< 10th centile) and/or prematurely (< 37 gestational weeks). Within subgroups (normal /pathological birth result) mean values only differed for uteroplacental RI (p=0.07) and aortic Vmean (p=0.04). Differences were highly significant for normally versus growth restricted/prematurely born fetuses: uteroplacental RI (p=0.01), fetal descending aorta PI (p=0.02) and Vmean (p=0.001), and middle cerebral artery PI (p=0.0008). CONCLUSION: Elevated uteroplacental Doppler flow velocity waveform indices and reduced aortic blood flow velocity might be associated with a pathological birth result and an impaired neonatal status after birth in cohorts of unselected pregnancies.
