Management of patients with poor symphysis pubis-fundus growth by Doppler flow velocimetry of the umbilical artery--an effective method to detect the fetus at risk.

This study evaluated Doppler flow velocimetry of the umbilical artery in patients with suspected intrauterine growth retardation as detected by poor symphysis-fundus growth (SFG). The sensitivity of Doppler in detecting light for gestational age babies and intrauterine growth retardation was poor. Antenatal complications, neonatal morbidity and perinatal mortality occurred significantly more frequently in patients with abnormal flow. Doppler flow velocimetry is an excellent test to identify babies at high risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality, when poor SFG is present.