To determine if latency following preterm premature rupture of membranes can be predicted using the amniotic fluid index, a retrospective observational study was performed using patient records to identify those admitted with a diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes. Fifty-one patients with initial evaluation within 48 hours of rupture and gestational age 26 to 34 weeks were identified. Amniotic fluid index was evaluated along with a biophysical profile; these were followed serially until delivery. Delivery was accomplished because of spontaneous labor or chorioamnionitis. Amniotic fluid index at initial evaluation was stratified into three groups: Low (less than 5.0), reduced (4.0 to 7.9), and normal (8.0 or higher). Latency in days from preterm premature rupture of membranes to delivery was evaluated for these groups. A difference was noted in that latency was significantly longer in the group with normal versus low or reduced amniotic fluid index groups. The amount of residual amniotic fluid, as measured by the amniotic fluid index, following preterm premature rupture of membranes, is predictive of latency.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to compare Doppler velocimetric indices between the left and right intra‐abdominal umbilical arteries in normally grown and growth‐restricted fetuses.
Methods
In this cross‐sectional study, Doppler indices of the intra‐abdominal segment of the left and right umbilical arteries were measured lateral to the fetal bladder. Measurements, including the systolic to diastolic ratio and pulsatility index, were obtained from both anatomic locations. The Student t test was used to make comparisons.
Results
Differences between left and right Doppler indices were noted in 98% of patients, and these differences were greater than 20% in at least one‐third. Overall, the left umbilical artery had a higher systolic to diastolic ratio (P = .025) and pulsatility index (P = .007) than the right umbilical artery.
Conclusions
The laterality of the umbilical artery, whether on the left or right side of the fetus, influences important Doppler blood flow parameters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.