Neonatal outcome after pregnancy complicated by abnormal velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery

The neonatal outcome of 61 infants born after pregnancies complicated by absent or reversed end diastolic flow velocities (AREDFV) in the fetal umbilical artery was compared with that of 61 controls matched for gestational age born after high risk pregnancies with documented forward end diastolic flow velocities (EDFV). The AREDFV group was significantly more growth retarded, had lower platelet counts at birth, and were more likely to become significantly thrombocytopenic in the first week after birth. Owing to concerns about the possible increased risk of necrotising enterocolitis in newborn infants after AREDFV, this group was started on enteral feeds later and was more likely to receive parenteral nutrition than the EDFV group. Seven infants with AREDFV and one control infant developed necrotising enterocolitis.