Evaluating suspected fetal anemia with Doppler ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate Doppler studies of the fetal middle cerebral artery to predict fetal or neonatal anemia.


METHODS
The perinatal database at one institution was searched for all patients evaluated for suspected fetal anemia. Middle cerebral artery peak velocity measurements just prior to cordocentesis or the last measurement prior to delivery was used for analysis. The primary outcome data analyzed were fetal or neonatal hematocrit at the time of the cordocentesis or delivery.


RESULTS
During the study period there were 36 patients who met the inclusion criterion. There was a significant correlation between middle cerebral artery peak velocity and fetal or neonatal hematocrit.


CONCLUSIONS
Peak flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery is an accurate, noninvasive clinically useful method of evaluating suspected fetal anemia.
Collins
Cherese Y
CY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, USA.
Ott
William J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017218:Cordocentesis; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*