Ultrasonic measurement of fetal blood velocity wave form as a secondary diagnostic test in screening for intrauterine growth retardation

Based on routine fetometry screening at 32 weeks of gestation, 80 out of 3226 singleton pregnancies were suspected of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and 72 of them were subjected to repeated fetal blood flow measurements by Doppler ultrasound for evaluation of the fetal condition. The maximum blood velocity wave form recorded from the fetal descending aorta and umbilical artery was classified as normal or abnormal depending on the presence or absence of positive end-diastolic blood flow. Compared to the pregnancies with normal fetal blood flow, the group of 30 pregnancies with abnormal blood flow patterns had significantly more pregnancy complications and more operative deliveries for fetal distress. In the latter group, all newborns but one were small-for-gestational age and had low 1-min Apgar scores more frequently. Fetal blood flow measurements have a good capacity for predicting unfavorable fetal outcomes and can be recommended for clinical use. The combination of ultrasound screening and Doppler blood flow measurement has reduced the number of pregnancies requiring intensive surveillance.