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Doppler flow velocity waveforms in fetal surveillance of twins: a prospective longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Degani S,
Gonen R,
Shapiro I,
Paltiely Y,
Sharf M
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.1992.11.10.537
Subject(s) - medicine , doppler effect , small for gestational age , umbilical artery , fetus , gestational age , obstetrics , prospective cohort study , laser doppler velocimetry , blood flow , pregnancy , cardiology , physics , astronomy , biology , genetics
In 37 consecutive twin pregnancies, monthly Doppler sonographic measurements were made of blood flow velocity waveforms of the internal carotid and umbilical artery of each fetus. A total of 197 Doppler studies were performed. Of the 74 infants, 23 were small for gestational age (SGA). Thirty‐five of the SGA Doppler studies were abnormal, giving an overall sensitivity for predicting SGA fetus of 58% and a positive predictive value of 71%. These data are not as sensitive and specific as our earlier data; however, Doppler criteria preceded sonographic diagnosis of SGA by a mean interval of 3.7 weeks and demonstrated better sensitivity and specificity. A combination of these parameters improves sensitivity to 84%. We conclude that Doppler velocimetry complements real‐time ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of abnormal growth in twin pregnancies.