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Updated: Aug 10, 2025

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Umbilical vein blood flow: State-of-the-art
Moira Barbieri1, Daniela Denis Di Martino1, Enrico Mario Ferrazzi1,2
1Department of Mother, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Placental blood supply to the fetus can be measured by evaluating the umbilical vein blood flow. Despite its potential application in healthcare, the umbilical vein blood flow volume is still used only in research setting. One of the reasons is a concern regarding its reproducibility, partly due to technology issues. Nowadays, technology improvements make this evaluation accurate and reproducible. The aim of this review is to refresh basic elements of the physiology of umbilical vein blood flow and its analysis. Its evaluation in normal and abnormal fetal growth is also discussed.
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