Splenic artery: peak systolic velocity of normal fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a reference range of splenic artery peak systolic velocity 1(SpA-PSV) in the normal singleton pregnancies (14-40 weeks).


METHODS
A prospective descriptive study was conducted on uncomplicated singleton pregnancies with normal fetuses and accurate gestational age were recruited into the study. The Doppler measurements of SpA-PSV were performed by the experienced sonographers with the high-resolution machine (Aloka Prosound alpha-10, Tokyo, Japan, or Voluson E8, GE Healthcare, USA).


RESULTS
A total of 540 measurements were performed, ranging from 15 to 30 for each gestational week (GA). The best regression model between GA and SpA-PSV was observed to be linear function with an equation as follows: SpA-PSV (cm/s)=-1.433+1.186 (GA, weeks) (r2=0.573). The table of nomogram for various percentile ranges was constructed. The results show a continuous increase in SpA-PSV over the period from 14 to 40 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
A nomogram for SpA-PSV for each GA during 14-40 weeks was constructed. This reference range may be a useful non-invasive tool in risk assessment for fetal anemia, especially due to homozygous alpha-thalassemia-1 or fetal isoimmunization.
Tongsong
Theera
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. ttongson@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Tongprasert
Fuanglada
F
Srisupundit
Kasemsri
K
Luewan
Suchaya
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D013599:Systole; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult