Coloured and Duplex Dopplerometry in the PrenatalDiagnosis of Congenital Developmental Defects

Overview

Objective:
Impact of Doppler system in detection of congenital malformations during prenataldiagnosis.Design: Prospective clinical study.Setting: Department of Medical Genetics and Foetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics andGynaecology University Hospital Olomouc.Methods: In 34 pregnancies with prenataly diagnosed congenital malformation the umbilical arte-ry pulsatility index (PI) and middle cerebral artery PI were assessed.Results: Abnormal Doppler patterns were obtained in 18 patients (chromosomal abnormalities -3x, gastroschisis -⁠ 2x, diaphragmatic hernia -⁠ 2x, urinary tract abnormalities -⁠ 2x, internal hydro-cephalus -⁠ 4x, microcephaly, anencephaly, encephalocoele, non-immune hydrops of the fetus,thoracopagus -⁠ 1x).Conclusion: In accordance to the literature abnormal Doppler patterns in umbilical artery wereobtained in trisomy 21 foetuses. The use of umbilical artery PI or ductus venosus PI in the firsttrimester of pregnancy as an additional parameter for screening purposes needs to be confirmedby further investigation (needs to be further explored).Pulsed Doppler waveform analysis gives a possibility to appreciate the functional state of thefoetus. In our patient group abnormal Doppler patterns were found in such substantial congenitalmalformations that they indicated pregnancy termination themselves. On the other hand in seve-ral similar morphological defects normal Doppler patterns were found. In these cases, in regardto the type of malformation,

Key words:
Doppler ultrasonography, prenatal diagnosis, congenital malformation