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Ductus venosus assessment at the time of nuchal translucency measurement in the detection of fetal aneuploidy
Author(s) -
Borrell Antoni,
Martinez Josep M.,
Serés Agustí,
Borobio Virginia,
Cararach Vicenç,
Fortuny Albert
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.716
Subject(s) - ductus venosus , nuchal translucency measurement , medicine , aneuploidy , trisomy , fetus , population , nuchal translucency , obstetrics , cardiology , prenatal diagnosis , pregnancy , biology , genetics , environmental health , gene , chromosome , biochemistry
Objective To assess the potential value of ductus venosus Doppler studies in the detection of fetal aneuploidy on measurement of nuchal translucency. Methods The pulsatility index for veins (PIV) and the lowest velocity during atrial contraction (A‐wave) were determined in the fetal ductus venosus in 3382 consecutive pregnancies at 10 to 14 weeks and studied from December 1996 to December 2001. Nuchal translucency was also measured. The population studied included 1664 pregnancies at high risk and 1718 at low risk for fetal aneuploidy. Results In relation to the prenatal detection of trisomy 21, the ductus venosus PIV was increased in 75% (36/48), the A‐wave was decreased in 58% (28/48), and nuchal translucency was enlarged in 81% (39/48) of the trisomy 21 fetuses [71% (22/31) when nuchal translucency referrals were excluded]. The corresponding figures for trisomies 18 and 13 were 71, 58 and 83%, respectively, being 33, 33 and 33% for other unbalanced anomalies. Conclusion There is a high proportion of fetuses with trisomies 21, 18 and 13 (around 75%) in which the ductus venosus PIV is increased (above the 95th percentile) at 10 to 14 weeks, this proportion being similar to that observed for increased nuchal translucency measurement. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.