Abstract
Objectives
We aimed to investigate and compare placental vascularization indices between monochorionic-diamniotic,
dichorionic-diamniotic normal twin pregnancies, and normal singular pregnancies. We
hypothesized that there is correlation between placental three-dimensional power Doppler
vascularization indices and birth weight in case of twin pregnancies, and that normal
singular pregnancies have higher placental vascularization indices than normal twin
pregnancies.
Study design
Placental three-dimensional power Doppler vascularization indices, such as vascularization
index, flow index, and vascularization-flow index were measured in monochorionic-diamniotic
(N = 15) and dichorionic-diamniotic (N = 36) normal twin pregnancies, and in normal
singular (N = 109) pregnancies. Correlations were analyzed between vascularization
indices, and birth weight, APGAR score, umbilical pH, umbilical venous bicarbonate,
lactate, and base excess.
Results
Vascularization indices and birth weight were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in normal singular gestations (vascularization index = 10.36, flow index = 46.08,
vascularization-flow index = 4.08, average birth weight = 3377 g at 38.2 weeks average
gestational age) compared to monochorionic-diamniotic and dichorionic-diamniotic normal
twin pregnancies. No significant differences were found in vascularization indices
between monochorionic-diamniotic and dichorionic-diamniotic normal twins. There were
no significant differences in APGAR score, umbilical pH, umbilical venous bicarbonate,
lactate, and base excess between groups examined (p < 0.01). We found strong linear correlations between placental vascularization indices and
birth weight in both twin groups.
Conclusion
Placental three-dimensional power Doppler vascularization indices seem appropriate
for predicting birth weight in monochorionic-diamniotic and dichorionic-diamniotic
normal twin pregnancies. Our pilot study revealed reference values for vascularization
indices in case of twin pregnancies examined.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 01, 2018
Accepted:
May 31,
2018
Received in revised form:
May 7,
2018
Received:
December 19,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
