title: Doppler velocimetry of ductus venous in preterm fetuses with brain sparing effect: neonatal outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the relationship between ductus venous (DV) and Doppler velocimetry in neonatal outcome in severe compromised preterm fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  the study was designed as an observational and cross-sectional study with 52 premature neonates with brain sparing effect. The criteria of neonatal severe morbidity were: severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grades 3 or 4), retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or 4), cystic periventricular leukomalatia, bronchopneumo dysplasia and neonatal mortality. The fetuses were divided in two groups: group 0 - all the fetuses with ventricular systole/atrial contraction (S/A) in DV ratio values less them 3.4; group 1 - fetuses with values of S/A ratio greater than 3.4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  42% of fetuses showed abnormal S/A ratio in DV and 48% showed birth weight below percentile 3 for gestational age. There was no statistical significance comparing the 02 groups according to bronchopneumo dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or 4) and intraventricular hemorrhage (grade 3 or 4). Only one fetus presented cystic periventricular leukomalatia. We found statistically significant association between abnormal DV S/A ratio and neonatal mortality (CI 95%, 1.28 -38.22, p< 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  our results suggest that abnormal DV blood flow detected by Doppler examination isn't associated with severe neonatal morbidity but with neonatal mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil ; Perinatal Clinic of Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ynesmara Coelho
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Cosmo
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araujo Júnior
authors.forename: Renato Augusto Moreira
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Sá
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Nassar
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Rosiane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattar
authors.forename: Laudelino Marques
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Luciano Marcondes Machado
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nardozza
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Antonio Fernandes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Moron