Evaluation of the Relationship Between Prenatal Doppler Findings and Hematological Profile in Neonates with Intrauterine Growth Restriction at 32 to 36 Weeks of Gestation

Background & Objective: Neonates with birth weights below the 10th percentile of gestational age- and sex-specific reference are known as neonates with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Neonates with IUGR are more prone to diseases, infections, respiratory failure, and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the association between perinatal Doppler findings and hematological indices in neonates with intrauterine growth restriction at gestational ages of 32 to 36 weeks. Materials & Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Akbarabadi Hospital from 2016 to 2017, 90 neonates with IUGR who underwent umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy were haphazardly selected and the umbilical artery Doppler velocity was compared with neonatal hematological indices. Results: Results indicated that 48, 25, and 17 neonates had normal, absent, and reverse Doppler, respectively. A decreased umbilical artery Doppler velocity was associated with a reduction in platelet level (P=0.004) and an increase in NRBC level (P=0.002). Considering a P-value>0.05, white blood cell and hemoglobin levels had no associations with umbilical artery Doppler. However, IVH was correlated with the severity of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (P=0.001). There was no significant relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (P<0.05). Conclusion: The severity of thrombocytopenia and the level of NRBC in IUGR neonates are directly related to abnormal umbilical artery Doppler and consequently, chronic hypoxia in these neonates. Furthermore, IVH is more likely to occur in neonates with chronic hypoxia. Early and perinatal diagnoses of these abnormalities can help us treat them faster and reduce long-term morbidities.

Keywords:

Color Doppler sonography , Hematologic disorders , Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)