Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
A comparison of Doppler and biophysical findings between liveborn and stillborn growth-restricted fetuses
Sarah Crimmins1, Andrea Desai1, Dana Block-Abraham1
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surveillance characteristics that precede stillbirth in growth-restricted fetuses that receive integrated Doppler and biophysical profile scoring (BPS).
Study Design:
Nine hundred eighty-seven singleton pregnancies that were complicated by fetal growth restriction had multivessel Doppler scans (umbilical and middle cerebral arteries [MCA], ductus venosus, and umbilical vein) and BPS. Surveillance findings were compared between live births and stillbirths.
Results:
Forty-seven stillbirths occurred in 2 clusters, 37 at <34 weeks of gestation and 10 thereafter. Before 34 weeks of gestation, stillbirths had parallel escalation of umbilical artery and ductus venosus Doppler findings followed by abnormal BPS. At ≥34 weeks of gestation, only a decline in MCA pulsatility index was observed, and 75% of stillbirths were unanticipated by the BPS.
Conclusion:
Before 34 weeks of gestation, multivessel Doppler abnormality anticipates an abnormal BPS and subsequent stillbirth. After 34 weeks of gestation, stillbirths occur after MCA brain-sparing in a shorter interval than predicted by a normal BPS. Recognition of these differences in clinical behavior requires consideration for the planning of monitoring intervals in preterm and term fetal growth restriction.
