Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Can the ductus venosus doppler predict the hemoglobinopathies?
Atilla Karateke1, Dilek Benk Silfeler2, Arif Güngören2
1Antakya State Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic Hatay, Turkey.
Objective:
The aim of our study was to investigate the ductus venosus doppler between 11-13+6 (week-day) in pregnant women with hemoglobinopaties and its relation with fetal outcomes.
Material And Methods:
A total of 100 pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies and 100 healthy pregnant women were included in our study. Ultrasonography (USG) was performed to all pregnant women and the ductus venosus doppler (DVD) flows were evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed.
Results:
The mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in hemoglobinopathy group (9.7 ± 0.7) than control group (10.67 ± 0.82) (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between Vmax, Vmin, S/D and reverse 'a' wave in fetuses with hemoglobinopathies. Vmax, Vmin and S/D parameters were higher in the group of hemoglobinopathies (respectively mean value, 31.3 ± 1.66, 8.90 ± 0.81, 2.97 ± 0.49). Reverse 'a' wave was detected especially in all fetuses with sickle cell anemia. There was no significantly relationship between the groups in terms of PI, RI and HR. In a logistic regression analyses, fetal hemoglobinopathy was independently associated with Vmin (β = 1.07, P = 0.001), S/D (β = 2.61, P = 0.001) and reverse 'a' wave (β = 2.46, P = 0.004).
Conclusion:
Pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies had changed ductus venosus doppler values in compared to normal pregnant women. Maternal anemia may cause this doppler changes. Furthermore all fetuses with sickle cell anemia (n = 5) had abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings and fetuses diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.
Related Concept Videos
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system...
Hematopoiesis

