title: Three-dimensional power Doppler indices at 18-22 weeks' gestation for prediction of fetal growth restriction or pregnancy-induced hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed placental perfusion based on placental vascular sonobiopsy (PVS) at 18-22 weeks of gestation in a low-risk population to predict fetal growth restriction (FGR) or pregnancy-induced hypertension [PIH; gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE)].
  
  
  METHODS
  PVS using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound with the VOCAL imaging analysis program was performed in 226 pregnancies [FGR, 25; appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) 191; and large-for-gestational age (LGA), 10] [PIH, 13 (GH, 7 and PE, 6) and non-PIH, 213] at 18-22 weeks of gestation. 3D power Doppler indices such as the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) using PVS were calculated in each placenta.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in VI, FI, or VFI values among FGR, AGA, and LGA pregnancies. No significant differences in VI, FI, or VFI values between PHI and non-PIH pregnancies were noted. There were also no significant differences in VI, FI, or VFI values between GH and PE pregnancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D power Doppler placental vascular indices at 18-22 weeks could not be used to predict high-risk pregnancies that develop FGR or PIH in a low-risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Kagawa University Graduate School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koyanagi
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult