Study of fetal tracheal fluid velocities using Doppler ultrasound
Received 25 February 2009; received in revised form 5 July 2009; accepted 19 October 2009. published online 09 November 2009.
Abstract
Objective
To characterize tracheal fluid flow during fetal breathing movements by Doppler ultrasound.
Study design
To use pulsed Doppler to measure flow velocity during inspiration and expiration in a cross-sectional study of 15 normal fetuses and determine the correlation, if any, between flow velocity and gestational age.
Results
Cyclic respiratory profiles – both regular and irregular – were observed. Intratracheal flow velocity was very elevated during inspiration, ranging from 10 to 80cm/s and from 5 to 20cm/s during expiration.
Conclusion
This technique enables the noninvasive semiquantitative evaluation of fetal breathing movements. This Doppler application opens the field for future studies to characterize the extent of pulmonary hypoplasia.
ABSTRACT