Doppler and biophysical assessment in growth restricted fetuses: distribution of test results.
OBJECTIVE
Multi-vessel Doppler ultrasonography and biophysical profile scoring (BPS) are used in the surveillance of growth restricted fetuses (IUGR). The interpretation of both tests performed concurrently may be complex. This study examines the relationship between Doppler ultrasonography and biophysical test results in IUGR fetuses.


METHODS
Three hundred and twenty-eight IUGR fetuses (abdominal circumference < 5th percentile, elevated umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI)) had concurrent surveillance with UA, middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler ultrasonography and BPS (fetal tone, movement, breathing, maximal amniotic fluid pocket and fetal heart rate). Patients were stratified into three groups according to their Doppler examination: (1) abnormal UA alone; (2) brain sparing (MCA-PI > 2 SD below mean for gestational age); and (3) abnormal DV (PI > 2 SD above the mean for gestational age) and BPS groups: (1) normal (> 6/10); (2) equivocal (6/10); and (3) abnormal (< 6/10). Predictions of short-term perinatal outcomes by both modalities were compared for stratification. The distribution and concordance of Doppler and BPS test results were examined for the whole patient group and based on delivery prior to 32 weeks' gestation.


RESULTS
Abnormal UA Doppler results alone were observed in 109 fetuses (33.2%), brain sparing in 87 (26.5%) and an abnormal DV in 132 (40.2%). The BPS was normal in 158 (48.2%), equivocal in 68 (20.7%) and abnormal in 102 (31.1%). Both testing modalities stratified patients into groups with comparable acid-base disturbance and perinatal outcome. Of the nine possible test combinations the largest subgroups were: abnormal UA alone/normal BPS (n = 69; 21%) and abnormal DV Doppler/abnormal BPS (n = 62; 18.9%). Assessment of compromise by both testing modalities was concordant in 146 (44.5%) cases. In 182 fetuses with discordant results the BPS grade was better in 115 (63.2%, P < 0.0001). Marked disagreement of test abnormality was present in 57 (17.4%) fetuses. Of these, abnormal venous Doppler in the presence of a normal BPS constituted the largest group (Chi-square P < 0.002). Stratification was not significantly different in patients delivered prior to 32 weeks' gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Doppler ultrasonography and BPS effectively stratify IUGR fetuses into risk categories, but Doppler and BPS results do not show a consistent relationship with each other. Since fetal deterioration appears to be independently reflected in these two testing modalities further research is warranted to investigate how they are best combined.
Baschat
A A
AA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.|Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
Galan
H L
HL
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
Bhide
A
A
Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Berg
C
C
Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Friedrich Wilhelm University Bonn, Germany.
Kush
M L
ML
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
Oepkes
D
D
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Thilaganathan
B
B
Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Gembruch
U
U
Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Friedrich Wilhelm University Bonn, Germany.
Harman
C R
CR
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D001703:Biophysics / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000196:embryology*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012119:Respiration; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000592:standards*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000592:standards*