title: Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in fetuses with a single umbilical artery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Doppler waveform analysis of the umbilical artery is an important tool for the evaluation of high-risk pregnancies. Yet, available data are based on normal values from three-vessel umbilical cords. Our purpose was to evaluate the value of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in fetuses with a single umbilical artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirteen consecutive singleton fetuses with a single umbilical artery between 16 and 40 weeks' gestational age were studied prospectively at a tertiary referral center for prenatal diagnosis and therapy. Complete follow-up was obtained from 103 cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The systolic-diastolic ratio in the umbilical artery was abnormal in 31 fetuses (30%) and normal in 72 fetuses (70%). Fetuses with abnormal Doppler waveform analysis in the umbilical artery were significantly more likely to be growth restricted (55 compared with 15%), to have complex malformations (58 compared with 1%) or an abnormal karyotype (29 compared with 0%), or not to survive the fetal/perinatal period (42 compared with 0%) than those with normal Doppler waveform analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetuses with a single umbilical artery and abnormal umbilical Doppler velocimetry had a significantly increased risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcome compared with those with a single umbilical artery but normal Doppler studies.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ulm
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ulm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deutinger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernaschek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*