RESUMO
Objectives. To investigate the detection rate of major fetal heart defects in a low-risk population implementing routine use of color Doppler. Material and Methods. In a prospective observational study, all women undergoing fetal heart scanning (including 6781 routine examinations in the second trimester) during a three-year period were included. First a gray-scale scanning was performed including assessment of the four-chamber view and the great vessels. Thereafter three cross-sectional planes through the fetal thorax were assessed with color Doppler. Results. Thirty-nine fetuses had major heart defects, and 26 (67%) were prenatally detected. In 9/26 (35%) of cases the main ultrasound finding was related to the use of color Doppler. The survival rate of live born children was 91%. Conclusions. Routine use of color Doppler in fetal heart scanning in a low-risk population may be helpful in the detection of major heart defects; however, still severe malformations were missed prenatally.
RESUMO
AIMS: To study the normal levels of oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) in healthy newborns during the first 24 h of life and the possible relationship to birth weight and mode of delivery. METHODS: SpO(2) was measured by pulse oximetry on one occasion between 2 and 24 h after birth in 6805 asymptomatic newborns with gestational age > or =34 weeks and birth weight > or =2500 g. RESULTS: The average SpO(2) for all children was 98.0% (SD 1.4). SpO(2) was negatively related to birth weight and ranged from 98.2% (1.4) in children with birth weight 2750-2999 g to 97.6% (1.3) in children weighing >4500 g (P<0.001). No relationship exists between SpO(2) and gestational age or gender when correcting for birth weight. SpO(2) was independently related to mode of delivery, with higher levels in children born by cesarean section (98.3%; 1.3) than by vaginal delivery (98.0; 1.4; P<0.001). There was no relationship between SpO(2) and the interval from delivery to measurement. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy newborns, levels of SpO(2) measured between 2 and 24 h of life are negatively related to birth weight and related to mode of delivery. However, the variation was within a small range and probably has few implications for the routine use of SpO(2) in newborns.
