Correlation between biomagnetic and Doppler findings of umbilical artery in fetal growth restriction

Objective To assess the value of biomagnetic recordings of the umbilical artery over Doppler ultrasound screening in order to predict complications of impaired uteroplacental blood flow in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Methods Our study population included 11 IUGR preeclamptic (34–37-weeks gestation; birth weight 1969 ± 129 g) and 19 normal pregnancies (34–37-weeks gestation; birth weight 3195 ± 229 g). Umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound waveform measurements were expressed in terms of pulsatility index (PI). Biomagnetic signals (waveforms) recorded from the IUGR umbilical artery were expressed in terms of magnetic power spectral amplitudes. Results In all cases, the frequency band considered was 2 to 7 Hz. The spectral amplitudes were low (mean: 117±24 fT/√Hz) in most (90.9%) IUGR pregnancies and high (mean: 224±37 fT/√Hz) in most normal pregnancies (89.5%). There was a statistically significant difference between normal and IUGR pregnancies with respect to spectral amplitudes (p < 0.0001), Doppler PI (p < 0.0005), pH (p < 0.0005) and Apgar score (p < 0.0005). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an influence of PI, pH and Apgar scores on the biomagnetic values (ANOVA: p < 0.0005). Conclusion Our data imply that biomagnetic values of the umbilical artery flow could prove to be a helpful method for the evaluation of fetal well being especially in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and growth restriction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.