Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcome of intrauerine growth retarded fetuses with abnormal arterial and venous Doppler findings.
Patients and Materials and Methods: A total of 48 fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation and 15 well grown fetuses were included in this prospective study. Umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler analyses were performed in all cases. The following groups were determined according to the Doppler findings: Group 1: Increased UA Doppler indices together with brain sparing effect (n=17); Group 2: Absent or reversed end diastolic flow in the UA together with normal DV Doppler findings (n=17); Group 3: Elevated UA Doppler indices and reverse flow in the DV (n=14); and Control group: Fetuses with normal intrauterine growth and normal Doppler analyses (n=15).
Results: Time of delivery decreased as the Doppler findings worsened. Fetuses with pathological DV Doppler findings were those whose delivery was the earliest. The mean birth weight of fetuses of Groups 2 and 3 was significantly lower than that of Group 1 and control group.
Neonatal mortality rate was similar in all groups.
Conclusion: Fetuses with abnormal venous Doppler findings have worse perinatal outcomes compared to those with abnormal arterial Doppler findings. This is due to lower gestational age at delivery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcome of intrauerine growth retarded fetuses with abnormal arterial and venous Doppler findings.
Patients and Methods: A total of 48 fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation and 15 well grown fetuses were included in this prospective study. Umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler analyses were performed in all cases. The following groups were determined according to the Doppler findings: Group 1: Increased UA Doppler indices together with brain sparing effect (n=17); Group 2: Absent or reversed end diastolic flow in the UA together with normal DV Doppler findings (n=17); Group 3: Elevated UA Doppler indices and reverse flow in the DV (n=14); and Control group: Fetuses with normal intrauterine growth and normal Doppler analyses (n=15).
Results: Time of delivery decreased as the Doppler findings worsened. Fetuses with pathological DV Doppler findings were those whose delivery was the earliest. The mean birth weight of fetuses of Groups 2 and 3 was significantly lower than that of Group 1 and control group. Neonatal mortality rate was similar in all groups.
Conclusion: Fetuses with abnormal venous Doppler findings have worse perinatal outcomes compared to those with abnormal arterial Doppler findings. This is due to lower gestational