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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System

Published on: May 5, 2018

Fetal hemodynamic development in macrosomic growth.

C Ebbing¹, S Rasmussen, T Kiserud

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. cathrine.ebbing@molmed.uib.no

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

|May 11, 2011

Summary

Macrosomic fetuses exhibit increased umbilical blood flow, especially near term, and augmented liver perfusion. Arterial flow also increases, but organ auto-regulation maintains stable pulsatility indices in key organs.

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Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

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Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation

Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation

Published on: January 7, 2021

Area of Science:

Perinatology
Fetal Medicine
Vascular Physiology

Background:

Macrosomic fetuses, defined by birth weight at or above the 90th percentile, present unique physiological challenges.
Understanding the underlying hemodynamic alterations is crucial for optimizing fetal well-being and delivery management.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the venous and arterial hemodynamic changes associated with fetal macrosomia.
To compare Doppler measurements in macrosomic fetuses with established reference values.

Main Methods:

A prospective longitudinal study of 58 women with a history of delivering large neonates.
Doppler ultrasound measurements of umbilical vein blood flow and various fetal arteries (ductus venosus, portal vein, hepatic, splenic, superior mesenteric, cerebral, umbilical) were performed.
Fetal weight was estimated using ultrasound biometry, and 29 neonates were classified as macrosomic.

Main Results:

Macrosomic fetuses demonstrated significantly higher umbilical blood flow, particularly near term, and when normalized for estimated fetal weight.
Increased blood flow velocity was observed in the ductus venosus and left portal vein, indicating enhanced liver perfusion.
Arterial systolic velocity was elevated in multiple vessels, though pulsatility indices remained unchanged in auto-regulated organs like the brain and liver.

Conclusions:

Macrosomic fetuses experience augmented umbilical flow and enhanced liver perfusion, including the right lobe.
Increased vascular cross-section and flow are present on the arterial side, but autoregulation mechanisms preserve pulsatility in the brain, liver, spleen, and gut.