Objective: Subject of the study was the significance of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry findings for the further course of pregnancy and fetal outcome in cases of twin pregnancies. Methods: In 206 cases of twin pregnancy, the umbilical artery was examined using Doppler velocimetry in the median 9 days prior to delivery, and the result was correlated with the further course of pregnancy and fetal outcome. 174 pregnancies showed normal Doppler findings of the umbilical artery (group A), 32 twin pregnancies showed pathological Doppler findings of at least one twin (group B). The median of the maternal age and the parity between the groups were not different. Results: In group B (pathological Doppler findings), intrauterine growth retardation and pre-eclampsia occurred 5 times more often than in group A (normal Doppler findings). The total rate of cesarean sections was not different between the study populations; the rate of deliveries by cesarean section in group B was significantly increased by a factor of 2.4 due to a pathological CTG. The median birth weight and the gestational age at birth were significantly lower in group B (1,660 g; 35 weeks) as compared to group A (2,460 g; 37 weeks; p < 0.001). In group B, the rate of premature deliveries up to reaching the 34th week of gestation was 3.4 times higher; the rate of SGA newborns was 6.3 times higher. Perinatal mortality was increased by a factor of 1.5 in group B compared to group A. Conclusion: The Doppler velocimetry findings have considerable effects on the further course of a multiple pregnancy. In case of pathological Doppler findings, early hospitalization and close monitoring of the pregnancy should be performed. In cases of additional pathological findings (maternal illness, pathological Doppler findings of fetal blood vessels), termination of the pregnancy has to be considered.

Keywords:
Doppler blood flow velocimetry, Fetal outcome, Pregnancy complication, Twin pregnancy
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.