The significance of high umbilical venous blood flow measurements in a high-risk population.

We report a statistical analysis of 893 high-risk patients who underwent Doppler sonographic estimation of umbilical venous blood flow within 2 weeks of delivery. Patients with red cell isoimmunization were excluded. In a total of 84 patients, the umbilical venous flow rate was above the 95th centile for normal pregnancy. This finding was associated significantly with an increased prevalence of maternal diabetes mellitus, polyhydramnios, fetal abnormalities, premature delivery, low 5 min Apgar scores, and neonatal death. Umbilical venous flow rates per kilogram of fetal weight above the 95th centile were recorded in 93 patients. This finding was associated significantly with an increased rate of antepartum hemorrhage, premature delivery, low 5 min Apgar scores, longer stays in intensive care nursery, and neonatal death. Low umbilical venous blood flow rates have been investigated extensively and associated with impaired perinatal outcome. The work reported in this paper indicates that a percentage of fetuses will have abnormally high umbilical venous flow rates and that this is also indicative of increased risk.