Fetus venous, intracardiac, and arterial blood flow measurements in intrauterine growth retardation: relationship with fetal blood gases
Article Abstract:
A quantifiable relationship may exist between intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and related blood circulation and distribution problems in the womb as measured by fetal blood gases and Doppler ultrasonography. IUGR is the unborn's failure to grow and develop at a normal rate. Further complications include a lack of oxygen in the blood, hypoxemia, and acid imbalance in the blood, acidemia. Researchers measured blood gases obtained from the umbilical cords of 23 pregnant women carrying babies with severe IUGR. Ten women were smokers. In addition, Doppler ultrasonography allowed a view of fetal blood flow circulation patterns. All measurements showed abnormally decreased blood flow in the venous system and across the atrioventricular valves. Blood circulation to and from the brain was also abnormal. The venous blood gas levels in the umbilical cords were correspondingly low. Seven babies died, 19 were delivered by cesarean section, and birth weights ranged from 440 grams to 1,900 g. The distribution mechanism may not be able to compensate for inadequate blood supply to the fetal heart and brain during extreme IUGR.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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The "brain-sparing" effect: antenatal cerebral Doppler findings in relation to neurologic outcome in very preterm infants
Article Abstract:
The shunting of blood to the brain in cases of intrauterine growth retardation is a protective mechanism that helps prevent the depletion of oxygen in the brain. This seems to decrease the risk of later neurological abnormalities. Doppler ultrasonography was used to record prenatal blood flow through the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries in 114 high-risk pregnancies. A ratio of the two was then calculated. Six measurements of the infants' brains were performed at specified intervals. Three neurological examinations were performed: at 40 weeks' postmenstrual age, at six months and at one year. The neurological classification of infants as either normal or abnormal was not related to the umbilical-cerebral artery ratio. Higher ratios were associated with low birth weight and low fetal growth ratios.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1993
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Quantification of fetomaternal hemorrhage: a comparative study of the manual and automated microscopic Kleihauer-Betke tests and flow cytometry in clinical samples
Article Abstract:
A study is conducted to evaluate the quantification of fetomaternal hemorrhage by the manual and automated microscopic analysis of Kleihauer-Betke stained slides and by flow cytometry. Accurate quantification is provided by automated microscopic detection of fetal blood cells in clinical samples, which is comparable to the manual Kleihauer-Betke in both small and large fetomaternal hemorrhage.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 2004
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