Ductus venosus Doppler waveform pattern in fetuses with early growth restriction.

<bold>Introduction: </bold>We aimed to assess if maximum velocities of the ductus venosus flow velocity waveform are associated with adverse outcomes in early-onset fetal growth restriction.<bold>Material and Methods: </bold>Retrospective cohort study from two tertiary referral units, including singleton fetuses with estimated birthweight or fetal abdominal circumference ≤10th centile and absent or reversed end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery delivered between 26+0 and 34+0  weeks of gestation. Pulsatility index for veins, and maximum velocities of S-, D-, v- and a-waves, were measured in the ductus venosus within 24 hours of birth. Logistic regression was used to describe the relation between severe neonatal morbidity or neonatal death and clinical independent predictors.<bold>Results: </bold>The study population included 132 early-onset fetal growth restriction fetuses. Newborns with neonatal morbidity or neonatal death had significantly lower values of v/D maximum velocity ratio multiples of the median (0.86 vs 095; P = 0.006) within 24 hours of birth. The v/D ratio remained a significant predictor of neonatal death or severe neonatal morbidity after adjusting for gestational age and birthweight (adjusted odds ratio 0.065, 95% confidence interval 0.004-0.957).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Assessment of ductus venosus v/D maximum velocity ratio might help to identify fetal growth restriction fetuses at increased risk for neonatal death or severe neonatal morbidity. Confirmation in prospective studies is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]