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Objective: The aim of this investigation was to assess the relationship between abnormal arterial and venous Doppler findings and perinatal outcome in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)., Methods: Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), inferior vena cava (IVC), ductus venosus (DV) and free umbilical vein was performed in 121 IUGR fetuses with a UA pulsatility index (PI) > 2 SD above the gestational age mean and subsequent birth weight < 10th centile for gestational age. Groups based on the last Doppler exam were: 1 = abnormal UA-PI only (n = 42, 34.7%), 2 = MCA-PI > 2 SD below the gestational age mean (= 'brain sparing') in addition to abnormal UA-PI (n = 29, 24.0%), 3 = DV or IVC peak velocity index (PVIV) > 2 SD above the gestational age mean and/or pulsatile UV flow (n = 50, 41.3%). Z-scores (delta indices) were calculated for Doppler indices. Perinatal mortality, respiratory distress (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), circulatory failure and umbilical artery blood gases were recorded., Results: Absence or reversal of umbilical artery end-diastolic flow was observed in 4 (9.5%) of fetuses in group 1, 10 (34.5%) fetuses in group 2 and 41 (82%) fetuses in group 3. A low middle cerebral artery pulsatility index was found in 39 (78%) fetuses in group 3. Multiple regression analysis with gestational age at delivery, delta indices and cord artery blood gas as independent parameters and individual perinatal outcomes as dependent variables was performed. In this analysis the association was strongest with gestational age for each complication. There were no significant differences in Apgar scores between groups. At delivery, 'brain sparing' was associated with hypoxemia and abnormal venous flows with acidemia. Perinatal mortality was highest in group 3 and stillbirth was only observed when venous flow was abnormal. All postpartum complications were more frequent in fetuses with abnormal venous flows. The only statistically significant relation between Doppler indices and outcome was the association between abnormal ductus venosus flow and fetal death (r2 = 0.24, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Growth restricted fetuses with abnormal venous flow have worse perinatal outcome compared to those where flow abnormality is confined to the umbilical or middle cerebral artery. In fetuses with low middle cerebral artery pulsatility, venous Doppler allows detection of further deterioration. While abnormal venous flows can be significantly associated with fetal demise, gestational age at delivery significantly impacts on all short-term outcomes.

Objective: It was our goal to determine the false-negative rate of the biophysical profile, characterize an 18-year variation in the false-negative rate, examine the relationship between the last normal biophysical profile score and death, and compare the false-negative rate of 2 disparate populations., Study Design: Biophysical profile scores of 86,955 patients at 2 medical centers were collected and recorded prospectively. All perinatal deaths occurring within 1 week of a normal score were similarly recorded. The annual false-negative rate, the cumulative false-negative rate, and the ratio of false-negative results in cases of subsequent fetal death to the perinatal mortality rate were calculated., Results: There were 65 fetal deaths among 86,955 fetuses. Over an 18-year study period at one institution, the false-negative rate varied but not significantly. The cumulative false-negative rate was 0.708 per 1000 at one medical center studied and 2.289 per 1000 at the other center. The average interval between last normal score and fetal death was 3.62 days and did not vary significantly between the medical centers., Conclusions: False-negative results in cases of subsequent fetal death reflect events that are subsequent to the last normal test result. Fetomaternal hemorrhage was the single most identifiable fetal cause of false-negative results in cases of subsequent fetal death. The ratio of the false-negative rate in cases of subsequent fetal death to the perinatal mortality rate should be used as a more objective approach to reporting this value, because the false-negative rate likely reflects the underlying perinatal mortality.

The relationship between the last biophysical profile score result and perinatal outcome was determined among a large referred population of high-risk pregnancies. A highly significant inverse linear correlation was observed for fetal distress, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, intrauterine growth retardation, 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, and umbilical cord pH less than 7.20 but not for the incidence of meconium or major anomaly. A highly significant inverse exponential (log 10) relationship was observed for perinatal mortality in total and by component parts and cause. These data strongly suggest the biophysical profile scoring method of fetal risk assessment is accurate and also provides insight into the extent of fetal compromise.

The relationship between complete absence of all components of the fetal biophysical profile score (biophysical profile score = 0) and adverse perinatal outcome was examined. Twenty-nine of 28,655 fetuses studied (0.092%) had a last biophysical profile score of 0; 48.3% of these perinates died (14 of 29 fetuses), the majority of whom (11 of 14) were stillborn, with death occurring as early as 30 minutes to as long as 11 days after the last test. Three asphyxia-related neonatal deaths occurred despite aggressive and immediate intervention. All survivors exhibited at least one of the five discrete markers used to assess perinatal morbidity. The positive predictive accuracy of a biophysical profile score of 0, with mortality and morbidity used as end points, was 100%. These data indicate the very abnormal fetal biophysical profile score to be a perinatal emergency.

Fetal biophysical profile scoring was used as a method for antepartum fetal risk assessment in 12,620 high-risk patients referred in a 55-month interval. A total of 26,257 tests were performed on these patients (range, one to 18 tests per patient). Ninety-three perinatal deaths occurred (gross perinatal mortality rate, 7.37 per 1000) of which 62 (66.6%) were due to a major anomaly, seven were due to Rh disease (7.5%), and the remaining 24 deaths (25.8%) occurred in structurally normal fetuses. The corrected perinatal mortality rate was 1.90 per 1000. Eight structurally normal fetuses died within 1 week of a normal test result (corrected false negative rate, 0.634 per 1000). These data suggest fetal biophysical profile scoring is an accurate method for identification of the fetus at risk for perinatal death.

The incidence of false-negative fetal death, which is defined as stillbirth unrelated to major anomaly or alloimmunization occurring after a last normal fetal biophysical score, was determined in 19,221 referred high-risk pregnancies. The calculated rate of fetal death after a last normal test was 0.726/1000 (14 deaths), which remained relatively constant despite a progressive increase in tests and patients studied. We conclude that a normal fetal biophysical profile score confers a high probability of perinatal survival.

Qualitative amniotic fluid volume determination is a routine part of fetal biophysical profile score testing. The relationship between oligohydramnios and poor perinatal outcome has been previously documented. We have undertaken a retrospective chart review relating qualitative amniotic fluid volume as determined at the time of last biophysical profile score assessment to perinatal outcome in 7582 referred high-risk obstetric patients. Gross and corrected perinatal mortality in association with normal qualitative amniotic fluid volume ranged from 4.65/1000 and 1.97/1000, respectively, to 187.5/1000 and 109.4/1000 in association with decreased qualitative amniotic fluid volume, respectively. The incidences of major congenital anomaly and intrauterine growth retardation were significantly related to qualitative amniotic fluid volume.

Qualitative amniotic fluid volume determination is a routine part of fetal biophysical profile score testing. The relationship between polyhydramnios and poor perinatal outcome has been previously documented. We have undertaken a retrospective chart review which relates qualitative amniotic fluid volume as determined at the time of last biophysical profile score assessment to perinatal outcome in 7562 referred high-risk obstetric patients. Gross and corrected perinatal mortality in association with normal qualitative amniotic fluid volume ranged from 4.65/1000 and 1.97/1000, respectively, to 32.9/1000 and 4.12/1000 in association with increased qualitative amniotic fluid volume, respectively. The incidences of major congenital anomaly and fetal macrosomia were significantly related to qualitative amniotic fluid volume.