Low target birth weight or growth retardation? Umbilical Doppler flow velocity waveforms and histometric analysis of fetoplacental vascular tree

Objective: The placental vascular architecture of small-for-gestatonal-age fetuses seems to have an impact on the flow patterns in the umbilical arteries. Study Design: Blood flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical arteries were measured by Doppler ultrasonography in nine small-for-gestational-age fetuses with elevated systolic/diastolic ratios of the umbilical arteries, seven small-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal flow patterns, and 14 appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal flow patterns. After delivery histomorphometric placental investigations were performed. Results: Reduced end-diastolic flow velocities were significantly associated with both a reduction of vascula…