Fetal biophysical profile and cerebro-umbilical ratio in assessment of brain damage in growth restricted fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between fetal biophysical profile (FBP), Doppler cerebro-umbilical (C/U) ratio and neonatal neurosonography in growth restricted newborns.


METHODS
This prospective study included 87 growth restricted fetuses from 28 to 42 weeks of gestation. The FBP and C/U ratio were assessed twice a week. Within 48h and on the seventh day after birth, neonatal neurosonography was performed as the outcome parameter.


RESULTS
Brain damage was detected, by neurosonography, in 34 newborns with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Severe periventricular echodensities (PVE) were ultrasonographically verified in eleven infants. Intraventricular or intraparenchymal hemorrhage (severe intracranial hemorrhage ICH) was detected in seven infants, and subependymal hemorrhage (SEH) in nine infants with IUGR. Porencephalic cysts, as a result of chronic intrauterine hypoxia, were found in four infants, and brain atrophy was detected in one case. Nonspecific ultrasonographic changes were observed in two newborns. The FBP and C/U ratio were statistically significantly associated with neurosonographicaly verified neonatal brain lesions (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The FBP and the C/U ratio represent the useful indicators for early detection and assessment of fetal hypoxia. They may also be parameters for the prediction of neonatal neurosonography findings in newborns with IUGR.
Habek
Dubravko
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Osijek, Croatia. dubravko.habek@bj.hinet.hr
Jugović
Domagoj
D
Hodek
Branko
B
Herman
Radoslav
R
Maticević
Anija
A
Habek
Jasna Cerkez
JC
Pisl
Zoran
Z
Salihagić
Aida
A
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*