Can long term neonatal outcome be predicted by antenatal surveillance?

As pathological patterns of fetal blood flow distribution are often associated with various obstetrical complications per se, it is difficult to distinguish permanent neurologic disability independently predicted by various complications of pregnancy and/or early neonatal period and those somehow predicted by some circulatory abnormality. Positive neonatal cranial ultrasonography showed significant predictive value regarding both major and minor neurologic impairment later in life. Blood circulation in fetal aorta could be an important milestone in detection of fetuses at increased risk, perhaps irrespective of their gestational age at birth. We therefore recommend cranial ultrasonography examination to all neonates with absent or reversed blood flow in descending aorta. The combination of both positive findings, regardless of gestational age at birth, carries a significantly increased risk of permanent neurologic damage.