Antenatal prediction of intraventricular hemorrhage in fetal growth restriction: What is the role of Doppler?

Objective: To evaluate relationships between neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage and altered brain blood flow in preterm growth-restricted fetuses. Methods: One hundred and thirteen growth-restricted fetuses (birth weight < 10th centile and umbilical artery pul-satility index > two standard deviations above gestational age mean) which delivered prematurely (< 34.0 weeks) were studied. Three expressions of altered brain blood flow were defined: 'brain sparing' = middle cerebral artery pulsatility index > two standard deviations below the gestational age mean, 'centralization' = ratio of middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery pulsatility indices (cerebroplacental ratio) > two standard deviations below the gestational age mean, and 'redistribution' = absent or reversed umbilical artery end-diastolic velocity. Intraventricular hemorrhage was graded after Papile (I-IV) by cranial ultrasound performed within 7 days of delivery. Results: Sixty-seven (59.3%) fetuses had brain sparing, 84 (74.3%) had centralization and 51 (45.1%) had redistribution. Fifteen (13.3%) neonates had intraventricular hemorrhage and were more likely to have a biophysical profile < 6, earlier delivery for fetal indications, lower cord artery pH, HCO₃, hemoglobin, and platelets, a 10-min Apgar score < 7 and high perinatal mortality (5/15; 33.3%). No associations between intraventricular hemorrhage and brain sparing or centralization were identified. However, neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage had significantly higher umbilical artery pulsatility index deviations from the gestational age mean and a relative risk of 4.9-fold for intraventricular hemorrhage with redistribution (95% confidence interval, 1.5-16.3; P < 0.005). Multiple logistic regression revealed significant associations between intraventricular hemorrhage and a low 10-min Apgar score (r= 0.30,P < 0.005) and low hemoglobin (r= 0.28), gestational age at delivery (r= 0.25) and birth-weight centiles (r= 0.23) (P < 0.05). No Doppler parameter was identified as an independent contributor to intraventricular hemorrhage. Conclusion: While loss of umbilical artery end-diastolic velocity early in gestation significantly increases the risk for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, prematurity and difficult transition to extrauterine life remain the most important determinants of intraventricular hemorrhage.