The vertebral artery Doppler might be an alternative to the middle cerebral artery Doppler in the follow-up of the early onset growth-restricted fetus.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to show the clinical utility of the vertebral artery Doppler as an alternative to the middle cerebral artery Doppler in the follow-up of fetuses affected with early-onset growth restriction [fetal growth restriction (FGR)].

METHODS

We present a group of fetuses with early-onset FGR in which the vertebral artery resistance index (VA RI) and pulsatility index (VA PI) were measured and plotted along with their references earlier calculated using 1980 Doppler examinations. In addition, the VA and middle cerebral artery (MCA) performance was compared using values converted into multiples of the median.

RESULTS

Similar to that of the MCA, VA RI and VA PI percentiles showed curve shapes with higher values at the beginning of the third trimester. The majority of growth-restricted fetuses showed a notorious decrease in the VA impedance, which was not statistically different to that of the MCA.

CONCLUSION

Vertebral artery Doppler values can be obtained throughout the second half of pregnancy. Preliminary data suggest a clinical application in the management of early-onset FGR.