Long term outcome following absent or reversed end-diastolic flow velocities (AREDFV) in the umbilical artery

Abstract 104 Aims: To compare neuro-developmental outcome in infants with and without AREDFV. Subjects: The short-term outcome of 122 infants born after high risk pregnancy who had Doppler ultrasound of umbilical artery waveform was reported previously (Arch. Dis. Child. 1994;70:F84). As part of an ongoing follow-up study, 71 survivors have been blindly assessed between the ages of 5 and 11 years. The distribution of birthweight, gestational age and sex in the group assessed did not differ from those not assessed. Measurements: Detailed assessments, including revised British Ability Scales (BASII), Quick Neurological Screening Test (QNST), vision, hearing, growth and blood pressure. Results: Apart from persisting growth delay, children with absent EDFV or forward EDFV were functioning within the normal range. Children with reversed EDFV, however, had an increased risk of both cognitive and neurological deficit as well as delayed growth. (Table) Conclusions: Reversed EDFV identifies fetuses who are at high risk of later disability.