title: Doppler flow velocity waveforms in fetal surveillance of twins: a prospective longitudinal study.
abstract: In 37 consecutive twin pregnancies, monthly Doppler sonographic measurements were made of blood flow velocity waveforms of the internal carotid and umbilical artery of each fetus. A total of 197 Doppler studies were performed. Of the 74 infants, 23 were small for gestational age (SGA). Thirty-five of the SGA Doppler studies were abnormal, giving an overall sensitivity for predicting SGA fetus of 58% and a positive predictive value of 71%. These data are not as sensitive and specific as our earlier data; however, Doppler criteria preceded sonographic diagnosis of SGA by a mean interval of 3.7 weeks and demonstrated better sensitivity and specificity. A combination of these parameters improves sensitivity to 84%. We conclude that Doppler velocimetry complements real-time ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of abnormal growth in twin pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Paltiely
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharf
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014427:Twins; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology