Abnormal Doppler flow velocimetry in the growth restricted foetus as a predictor for necrotising enterocolitis.
BACKGROUND
Obstetric decision- making for the growth restricted foetus has to take into consideration the benefits and risks of waiting for pulmonary maturity and continued exposure to hostile intra-uterine environment. Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) results from continued exposure to hostile environment and is an important cause of poor neonatal outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the predictive value of abnormal Doppler flow velocimetry of the foetal umbilical artery for NEC and neonatal mortality.


METHODS
A retrospective study carried out at a tertiary care centre for obstetric and neonatal care.


METHODS
Seventy-seven neonates with birth weight less than 2000 gm, born over a period of 18 months were studied. These pregnancies were identified as having growth abnormalities of the foetus. Besides other tests of foetal well-being, they were also subjected to Doppler flow velocimetry of the foeto-placental vasculature. Obstetric outcome was evaluated with reference to period of gestation and route of delivery. The neonatal outcome was reviewed with reference to birth weight, Apgar scores and evidence of NEC.


METHODS
Chi square test.


RESULTS
In the group of patients with Absent or Reverse End Diastolic Frequencies (A/R EDF) in the umbilical arteries, positive predictive value for NEC was 52.6%, (RR 30.2; OR 264). The mortality from NEC was 50%. When umbilical artery velocimetry did not show A/REDF, there were no cases of NEC or mortality. Abnormal umbilical or uterine artery flow increased the rate of caesarean section to 62.5% as compared to 17.6% in cases where umbilical artery flow was normal.


CONCLUSIONS
In antenatally identified pregnancies at risk for foetal growth restriction, abnormal Doppler velocimetry in the form of A/REDF in the umbilical arteries is a useful guide to predict NEC and mortality in the early neonatal period.
Bhatt
A B
AB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seth G. S. Medical College, Parel, Mumbai-400 012, India. speedyavi@hotmail.com
Tank
P D
PD
Barmade
K B
KB
Damania
K R
KR
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries