Altered jugular vein and ductus venosus flow velocities in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and distended jugular lymphatic sacs.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess blood flow in relation to jugular lymphatic distension in fetuses with increased and normal nuchal translucency (NT).


METHODS
In all, 72 fetuses with normal NT and 71 fetuses with NT >95th percentile were evaluated. NT size, jugular lymphatic sacs (JLS), jugular vein and ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (PIV), and intracardiac velocities were measured.


RESULTS
JLS were visualized in 22/72 fetuses with normal and in 55/71 fetuses with increased NT. Jugular vein and ductus venosus PIV was higher in fetuses with increased NT compared to normal NT (P < .01). Visibility of JLS was associated with a higher ductus venous PIV (P < .05), but not with a higher jugular vein PIV. Larger NT and larger JLS volumes were associated with higher jugular vein and ductus venosus PIV (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a relation among increased NT, jugular lymphatic distension, and altered blood flow in jugular vein and ductus venosus.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ym.demooij@vumc.nl
Yolanda M
YM
de Mooij
Margot M
MM
Bartelings
Jos W R
JW
Twisk
Regis R
RR
Lamberts
Adriana C
AC
Gittenberger-de Groot
John M G
JM
van Vugt
Mireille N
MN
Bekker
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D007621:Karyotyping; D048208:Nuchal Translucency Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal