Low target birth weight or growth retardation? Umbilical Doppler flow velocity waveforms and histometric analysis of fetoplacental vascular tree

doi:10.1016/0002-9378(93)90377-U

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Volume 168, Issue 4, April 1993, Pages 1260-1264

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(93)90377-U Get rights and content

Objective: The placental vascular architecture of small-for-gestatonal-age fetuses seems to have an impact on the flow patterns in the umbilical arteries.

Study Design: Blood flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical arteries were measured by Doppler ultrasonography in nine small-for-gestational-age fetuses with elevated systolic/diastolic ratios of the umbilical arteries, seven small-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal flow patterns, and 14 appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal flow patterns. After delivery histomorphometric placental investigations were performed.

Results: Reduced end-diastolic flow velocities were significantly associated with both a reduction of vascularization within the terminal villi and adverse diffusion conditions, indicating insufficient functional maturity. The perfusion and diffusion capacity of small-for-gestational-age placentas with normal umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms was similar or even slightly better compared with the appropriate-for-gestational-age control values.

Conclusion: These data suggest that Doppler flow velocimetry in the umbilical arteries is predictive of a vascular lesion within the placentas of small-for-gestational-age fetuses.

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: Supported by the Verein zur Forschung and Fortbilding von Nachwuchskrdten in der Gyndkologe and Geburtshilfe. Presented in part at the Fourth Congress of the International Perinatal Doppler Society, Malmb; Sweden, August 29-31, 1991. Received for publication April 13, 1992; revised July 29, 1992; accepted October 26, 1992.

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Low target birth weight or growth retardation? Umbilical Doppler flow velocity waveforms and histometric analysis of fetoplacental vascular tree

Am J Obstet Gynecol

Clin Obstet Gynecol

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Am J Obstet Gynecol

Am J Obstet Gynecol

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Lancet