title: Assessment of placental volume and vascularization at 11-14 weeks of gestation in a Taiwanese population using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The placental volume and vascular indices are crucial in helping doctors to evaluate early fetal growth and development. Inadequate placental volume or vascularity might indicate poor fetal growth or gestational complications. This study aimed to evaluate the placental volume and vascular indices during the period of 11-14 weeks of gestation in a Taiwanese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2006 to September 2009, three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound was performed in 222 normal pregnancies from 11-14 weeks of gestation. Power Doppler ultrasound was applied to the placenta and the placental volume was obtained by a rotational technique (VOCAL). The three-dimensional power histogram was used to assess the placental vascular indices, including the mean gray value, the vascularization index, the flow index, and the vascularization flow index. The placental vascular indices were then plotted against gestational age (GA) and placental volume.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that the linear regression equation for placental volume using gestational week as the independent variable was placental volume = 18.852 × GA - 180.89 (r = 0.481, p < 0.05). All the placental vascular indices showed a constant distribution throughout the period 11-14 weeks of gestation. A tendency for a reduction in the placental mean gray value with gestational week was observed, but without statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All the placental vascular indices estimated by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography showed a constant distribution throughout gestation.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Hsing-I
authors: HI
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Ming-Jie
authors: MJ
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Peng-Hui
authors: PH
authors: Wang
authors: School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Branch for Women and Children, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Yi-Cheng
authors: YC
authors: Wu
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: zachary.joyce@gmail.com.
authors: Chih-Yao
authors: CY
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*
keywords: VOCAL; gestational week; placental volume; three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound