Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low splenic artery pulsatility index (PI) and reduced flow through the left portal vein are involved in redistribution of fetal growth restriction. Methods: Forty-two women with prenatally diagnosed intrauterine growth restriction of singleton fetuses were included. The next pregnant woman with an appropriately growing fetus, matched for gestational age, was selected as a control. Blood flow velocities were measured in the splenic artery and left portal vein. Obstetric and perinatal information was obtained from standardized medical records. Results: The blood flow through the left portal vein was significantly reduced compared with the controls (P <.0001). Placental impairment in fetal growth restriction was clearly linked to a decreased splenic artery PI (P =.0004). In growth-restricted fetuses with reduced left portal vein flow and a splenic artery PI below the 5th percentile, perinatal mortality, a low 5-minute Apgar score, and neonatal metabolic acidosis were observed significantly more often (P =.04,.01, and.004; P =.03,.03, and.006, respectively). Conclusions: Reduced blood flow through the left portal vein and low resistance in the splenic artery can be found in growth-restricted fetuses with adverse neonatal outcomes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 223-229 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2012 |
Keywords*
- Doppler velocity
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Left portal vein
- Splenic artery
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database