Abstract

VICTORIA-GOMEZ, Pablo Andrés. Doppler ultrasonography assessment in maternal-foetal medicine. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2006, vol.57, n.3, pp.190-200. ISSN 0034-7434.

Introduction: Doppler ultrasound techniques (available since the 1980s) have allowed a more precise understanding of foetal-placental haemodynamics and their physiological variants. They have also helped in recognising pathological changes produced in the foetus by different types of injury, allowing more precise action to be taken and decreasing neonatal morbidity and mortality. This article is aimed at offering a comprehensive review of Doppler technology in perinatal medicine and pointing out its practical usefulness in current obstetric practice. Methods: electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid, Elsevier, InterScience, Cochrane) and text books were reviewed to obtain the best evidence regarding using Doppler technology in perinatal medicine. Results: Doppler ultrasonography has become a diagnostic tool having wide application in the field of maternal-foetal medicine. It is currently the key for diagnosing and managing foetuses affected by anaemia or foetal growth restriction (FGR), chromosomal abnormality screening during the first three months of pregnancy, studying foetal morphology, diagnosing placenta accreta, the early detection of foetal infection and screening for utero-placental insufficiency-derived pathologies (FGR and preeclampsia) and adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography used as a diagnostic tool has changed perinatal practice, allowing more precise handling of invasive foetal procedures (as well as reducing them) and giving us a better understanding of the physiological changes occurring at foetal-placental level.

Keywords : Doppler ultrasonography; fetal growth restriction; foetal anaemia; aneuploidy; uterine artery.

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