Clinical significance of intermittently absent end-diastolic flow of the fetal umbilical artery on perinatal and neonatal outcomes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow and persistently absent flow, focusing on their implications for clinical management. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital between 2020 and 2023, and included 137 pregnancies diagnosed with either intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow (n=38) or persistently absent flow (n=99). Demographic data, pregnancy complications, delivery details, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean latency from diagnosis to delivery was statistically significantly longer in the intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow group (15.6 days) than in the persistently absent flow group (7.88 days; p<0.0001). The intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow group demonstrated better outcomes, with a higher gestational age at delivery and improved Apgar scores. Notably, although the difference was not statistically significant, all stillbirths (n=4) occurred in the persistently absent flow group. No intergroup differences were found in terms of intensive care unit admission or neonatal intubation. CONCLUSION: This study highlights an important prognostic distinction between intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow and persistently absent flow, with intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow representing a less severe form of placental insufficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing antenatal surveillance strategies, suggesting that intermittently absent end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow cases may be candidates for outpatient management, whereas persistently absent flow cases require more intensive monitoring.
Institution: İstanbul Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura Şehir Hastanesi
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412363454