title: Cerebral blood perfusion and neurobehavioral performance in full-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in cerebral blood perfusion and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler in full-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses (SGA) and to explore their association with neonatal neurobehavioral performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frontal brain perfusion that was measured by fractional moving blood volume (FMBV) and MCA Doppler pulsatility index were assessed in 60 SGA fetuses with normal umbilical artery Doppler results that were matched with adequate-for-gestational-age fetuses. Neonates were evaluated with the Neonatal-Behavioral-Assessment-Scale (NBAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of SGA fetuses with increased FMBV (35% vs 5%; P < .001) and decreased MCA Doppler pulsatility index (15% vs 1.7%; P < .01) was significantly higher. SGA fetuses showed poorer NBAS scores in all areas. Increased FMBV identified SGA fetuses with the highest risks of abnormal NBAS in social-interactive (odds ratio, 7.8), attention (odds ratio, 22.8), and state-organization (odds ratio, 25.0). Abnormal MCA Doppler identified SGA with abnormal scores in motor area (odds ratio, 10.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased brain blood perfusion discriminates SGA fetuses that are at risk for abnormal neurobehavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Hospital Clinic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cruz-Martinez
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Figueras
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oros
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meler
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Andrade
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gratacos
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D047929:Term Birth; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler