[Doppler sonographic flow measurements of the middle cerebral artery in end-diastolic zero flow in the umbilical arteries in relation to fetal outcome].

Absent or reverse end-diastolic flow velocities (AREDFV) of the umbilical arteries are associated with fetal distress. We studied 74 fetuses with AREDFV with respect to the resistance index of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The change in the resistance index of MCA was applied to the fetal outcome. The fetuses were retrospectively divided into 3 groups: 1) The fetuses in the first group did not show any changes in the course of observation of the MCA. 2) In the second group a drop followed by an increase in the resistance index of the MCA was confirmed. This is known in literature as "cerebral oedema". 3) The third group showed only a drop in the resistance index, described in literature as "brain-sparing-effect". The increase in the resistance index of the MCA points to a danger for the fetus, since the incidence of fetal acidosis, low birth weight, severe idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome in these fetuses was extremely high. In particular every second fetus in this group showed neurological complications. The change in the cerebral perfusion known as "cerebral oedema" which is extremely dangerous for the fetus has to be avoided.