Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of inferior vena cava, ductus venosus, and intrahepatic portion of umbilical vein Doppler in evaluation of cases of nonimmune fetal hydrops.
Material and Method:This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, faculty of medicine, Alexandria University on 37 pregnant females in second and third trimester pregnancy selected from the attendees of El-Shatby Maternity university hospital. The cases were allocated into 2 main groups: group 1: twenty seven pregnant women with nonimmune fetal hydrops. Group 2: ten normal pregnant women without non-immune fetal hydrops (control group). We excluded from our study cases of immune fetal hydrops.We studied preload index of inferior vena cava, preload index and A wave of ductus venosus, and intrahepatic umbilical vein maximal velocity.
Result: Our results showed the presence of high statistical significant correlation between abnormally elevated preload index of inferior vena cava, ductus venosus and abnormal A wave of ductus venosus and nonimmunefetal hydrops group. There were also high statistical significant correlation between intrahepatic umbilical vein decreased maximal velocity and nonimmune fetal hydrops. These changes of the velocimetry in the Inferior vena cava, Ductus venosus, and Intrahepatic umbilical vein corresponding to changes in cardiac function and could be of value in predicting prognosis and outcome of pregnancy.Conclusion: Doppler velocimetry in the IVC, DV, and intrahepatic portion of UV is a useful tool in the workup of hydropic fetuses.