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Fetal renal pulsed Doppler waveform in prolonged pregnancies
J C Veille1, M Penry, E Mueller-Heubach
1Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 1, 1993
Summary
In prolonged pregnancies, a low amniotic fluid index (oligohydramnios) is linked to a higher fetal renal artery systolic-to-diastolic ratio. This indicates altered intrarenal flow in these high-risk pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Fetal ultrasonography
- Doppler velocimetry
Background:
- Prolonged pregnancy (post-term gestation) poses risks to fetal well-being.
- Oligohydramnios, a reduced amniotic fluid volume, is a common complication in post-term pregnancies.
- Fetal renal artery Doppler waveforms can provide insights into fetal cardiovascular adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fetal renal artery Doppler waveforms in prolonged pregnancies.
- To compare Doppler parameters between fetuses with and without oligohydramnios.
Main Methods:
- Fifty patients at or beyond 40 weeks gestation were studied.
- Ultrasonography assessed amniotic fluid index (AFI) using the four-quadrants technique.
- Fetal renal artery Doppler waveforms were analyzed, comparing systolic-to-diastolic (S/D) ratios between groups (AFI > 5 vs. AFI ≤ 5).
Main Results:
- Fetuses with oligohydramnios (AFI ≤ 5) exhibited a significantly higher renal artery S/D ratio.
- A significant negative correlation (r = -0.435, p < 0.01) was observed between AFI and the renal artery S/D ratio.
Conclusions:
- A significant relationship exists between amniotic fluid index and fetal renal artery S/D ratio in prolonged pregnancies.
- Oligohydramnios in prolonged pregnancies is associated with elevated fetal renal artery S/D ratios.
- These findings suggest altered intrarenal blood flow in fetuses with oligohydramnios during prolonged gestation.