Hematologic evaluation of growth retarded fetus by cordocentesis

Fetal blood sampling by ultrasound-guided cordocentesis was performed in 22 IUGR fetuses in order to evaluate the fetal condition. All patients were referred to our hospital for further examination and management. In addition to hematological assessment we measured the velocity profiles of the umbilical artery with pulse-gated Doppler equipment. On the whole, pH and pO2 in the umbilical vein of IUGR fetuses were significantly lower and pCO2 higher, respectively, the corresponding values in controls. In particular, IUGR fetuses which had an etiology of maternal pre-eclampsia had fallen into hypoxemia. However, other laboratory values in IUGR did not differ from those of the controls except for the platelet count, which was low in the IUGR fetuses. Five fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities were found by analyzing the fetal blood. Since there are different etiologies inducing IUGR, fetus and umbilical artery velocimetry is not always predictive of the state of the IUGR fetus, hematological assessment is considered indispensable for further management.