Relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, umbilical Doppler parameters, and foetal sex
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, and foetal sex. It also evaluates umbilical artery Doppler parameters and their relationship with placental localisation. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 500 healthy pregnant women who gave birth at our university. All women had undergone a detailed ultrasound and Doppler examination at 20-23 weeks. The ultrasonography results of the patients were examined retrospectively. Foetal biometry, birth weight, and umbilical artery Doppler parameters were recorded and compared according to placental localisation. Results: Birth weight was significantly higher in foetuses with anteriorly located placenta. The incidence of female foetuses was higher (62%) in relation to anteriorly located placentas, whereas male incidence was higher (51.9%) in relation to posterior placentas. A comparison of Doppler parameters between groups revealed significantly higher pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values in posteriorly located placentas. Conclusion: Foetal sex might affect placental localisation. Doppler parameters and birth weight might also differ according to placental side. These factors should be taken into consideration during the evaluation of obstetric patients.
Relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, umbilical Doppler parameters, and foetal sex
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, and foetal sex. It also evaluates umbilical artery Doppler parameters and their relationship with placental localisation. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 500 healthy pregnant women who gave birth at our university. All women had undergone a detailed ultrasound and Doppler examination at 20-23 weeks. The ultrasonography results of the patients were examined retrospectively. Foetal biometry, birth weight, and umbilical artery Doppler parameters were recorded and compared according to placental localisation. Results: Birth weight was significantly higher in foetuses with anteriorly located placenta. The incidence of female foetuses was higher (62%) in relation to anteriorly located placentas, whereas male incidence was higher (51.9%) in relation to posterior placentas. A comparison of Doppler parameters between groups revealed significantly higher pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values in posteriorly located placentas. Conclusion: Foetal sex might affect placental localisation. Doppler parameters and birth weight might also differ according to placental side. These factors should be taken into consideration during the evaluation of obstetric patients.
___
- Murphy VE, Smith R, Giles WB, Clifton VL. Endocrine regulation of human fetal growth: the role of the mother, placenta, and fetus. Endocrine Reviews 2006; 27: 141–169.
- Rizos N, Doran TA, Miskin M, Benzie RJ, Ford J.A. Natural history of placenta previa ascertained by diagnostic ultrasound. Obstet Gynecol 1979; 133: 287–291.
- Jauniaux E, Ramsay B, Campbell S. Ultrasonographic investigation of placental morphologic characteristics and size during the second trimester of pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1994; 170: 130–137.
- Voight J, Becker V. Doppler flow measurements and histomorphology of the placental bed in uteroplacental insufficiency. J Perinat Med 1992; 20: 139–147.
- Jauniaux E, Jurkovic D, Campbell S, Hustin J. Doppler ultrasonographic features of the developing placental circulation: correlation with anatomic findings. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992; 166: 585–587.
- Malcus P, Laurini R, Marsal K. Doppler blood flow changes and placental morphology in pregnancies with third trimester hemorrhage. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1992; 71: 39–45. 7. Brosens I, Dixon HG, Robertson WB. Fetal growth retardation and the arteries of the placental bed. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1977; 84: 656–663.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Intrauterine Growth Restriction. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 12. Washington, DC, USA: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2000.
- Belogolovkin V, Engel SM, Ferrara L, Eddleman KA, Stone JL. Does sonographic determination of placental location predict fetal birth weight in diamniotic-dichorionic twins? J Ultrasound Med 2007; 26: 187–191.
- Kalanithi LEG, Illuzzi JL, Nossov VB, Frisbæk Y, Abdel-Razeq S, Copel JA, Norwitz ER. Intrauterine growth restriction and placental location. J Ultrasound Med 2007; 26: 1481–1489.
- Kofinas AD, Penry M, Swain M, Hatjis CG. Effect of placental laterality on uterine artery resistance and development of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989; 161: 1536–1539.
- Kofinas AD, Penry M, Greiss FC Jr, Meis PJ, Nelson LH. The effect of placental location on uterine artery flow velocity waveforms. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988; 159: 1504–1508.
- North RA, Ferrier C, Long D, Townend K, Kincaid-Smith P. Uterine artery Doppler flow velocity waveforms in the second trimester for the prediction of preeclampsia and fetal growth retardation. Obstet Gynecol 1994; 83: 378–386.
- Ito Y, Shono H, Shono M, Muro M, Uchiyama A, Sugimori H. Resistance index of uterine artery and placental location in intrauterine growth retardation. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1998; 77: 385–390.
- Vaillant P, Best MC, Cynober E, Devulder G. Pathological Doppler uterine readings when the placenta is laterally situated. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod 1993; 22: 301–307.
- Kavraiskaya IA, Nazarova LA. Changes in hemodynamic parameters and temperature regimen in the system mother- placenta-fetus as affected by various drugs. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1993; 115: 21–23 (article in Russian with an abstract in English).
- Kunz G, Beil D, Deininger H. The dynamics of rapid sperm transport through the female genital tract: evidence from vaginal sonography of uterine peristalsis and hysterosalpingoscintigraphy. Hum Reprod 1996; 11: 627–632.