Second Trimester Doppler Indices and Placental Vascularity as Predictors of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

The main objectives of modern antenatal care programs are to identify high risk pregnancies then to predict any possibility of adverse pregnancy outcome as early as possible.

The earliest attempts to achieve this goal were possible with the introduction of ultrasound in obstetrical practice in the 1950s. A breakthrough that enabled obstetricians to directly visualize the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid. At first 2-dimensional (2D) imaging was employed whereby fetal biometry and placental location were detected. Later on, Doppler measurements & 3-dimensional (3D) representation became feasible further revolutionizing this area