Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  1999 Mar;42(3):544-548.

The Application of Doppler Ultrasound in the Assessment of Fetal Weight

• Kim JH
• Choi SC
• Yang HS
• Sim JC
• Bae CS
• Yoon HW
• Kang MA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the fetal doppler flow velocimetry and birth weight in low risk pregnancy population.
METHODS
From December 1995 to May 1996, We prospectively performed doppler study in 254 uncomplicated, term pregnant women, who visited Pohang Hospital, Dongguk University. Using pulsed color doppler, we measured umbilical artery RI, middle cerebral artery RI and middle cerebral-umbilical artery RI ratio within one week before delivery.
RESULTS
The result was that low birth weight group (below 2500gm) had very significant lationship with umbilical artery RI(P<0.01), middle cerebral artery RI(P<0.05) and middle cerebral-umbilical artery RI ratio(P<0.05), but there was no significant relationship in these blood flow indices between normal birth weight group (2501gm- 3999gm) and macrosomia group (above 4000gm).
CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that application of doppler ultrasonopaphy in the assessment of fetal weight is somewhat helpful for identification of low birth weight, not for macrosomia.

Keyword

Doppler; Fetal weight; Resistance index; umbilical artery; Middle cerebral artery

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Birth Weight
Female
Fetal Weight*
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Humans
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Middle Cerebral Artery
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Prospective Studies
Rheology
Ultrasonography*
Umbilical Arteries