Perinatal outcome following improvement of abnormal umbilical artery velocimetry

Article Abstract:

Some studies have indicated that abnormal umbilical artery velocimetry (measurement of blood flow) is associated with an adverse outcome of pregnancy. This study examined if maternal bed rest improves this problem and if improvement of abnormal umbilical artery velocimetry results in improved pregnancy outcome. Doppler ultrasonography (US), a technique that employs high frequency sound waves to measure blood flow in vessels, was used to evaluate 510 pregnancies. Abnormal umbilical artery velocimetry was measured in 160 pregnancies. The mothers were prescribed bed rest and were monitored at least once a week. Complete data were available for 128 of these pregnancies. Subsequent US examinations showed improvement in umbilical artery velocimetry in 66 cases and persistent abnormal flow in 62 cases. Severe preeclampsia, high blood pressure related to pregnancy, was more prevalent in the cases that did not show improvement. Gestational age at birth (37.3 versus 32.8 weeks) and birth weight (2,914 versus 1,481 grams) were significantly greater for pregnancies that showed improvement in umbilical artery blood flow. Fetal growth retardation, cesarean delivery, and perinatal death were more likely to occur in cases where abnormal flow persisted. The results indicate that bed rest improves abnormal umbilical artery velocimetry in some cases and that this improvement leads to better perinatal outcome. For cases showing no improvement with bed rest, prognosis is poor. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Evaluation, Blood flow, Measurement, Blood flow measurement, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Doppler ultrasonography, Umbilical arteries

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Maternal hydration increases amniotic fluid index

Article Abstract:

Insufficient levels of amniotic fluid (AF), which fills the membrane surrounding the embryo, have been associated with poor fetal outcomes. What causes insufficient AF volume is unclear. It has been suggested that maternal plasma volume and AF volume are related. Animal studies have indicated that maternal deprivation of water and poor hydration can affect AF volume. This study examined if increased maternal hydration could increase low AF volume. Forty pregnant women who had an AF index of 5.0 centimeters (cm) or less, indicative of very low AF volume, participated in the study. Twenty women acted as controls and were instructed to drink their normal amounts of water. The other twenty women were instructed to drink their normal amounts of water, and to drink two liters of water two to four hours prior to re-examination. Three control subjects and one hydration subject were eliminated from the study for various reasons. For the remaining subjects, initial AF index was 4.8 cm in both groups. After treatment, the AF index for the control group was 5.1 cm and for the treatment group it was 6.3 cm. Both the post-treatment AF index and the change in index from pre- to post-test were significantly greater for the treated group that for the control group. These results suggest that maternal hydration may increase AF volumes in women with low fluid levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Hydration, Rehydration solutions, Amniotic fluid

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