Daisuke Katsura1,2, Yuichiro Takahashi3, Shigenori Iwagaki3, Rika Chiaki3, Kazuhiko Asai3, Masako Koike3, Shunichiro Tsuji4, Fuminori Kimura4, Takashi Murakami4. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, 520-2192, Japan. katsuo14@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp. 2. Department of Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Nagara Medical Center, 1300-7, Nagara, Gifu, 502-8558, Japan. katsuo14@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp. 3. Department of Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Nagara Medical Center, 1300-7, Nagara, Gifu, 502-8558, Japan. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, 520-2192, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is no established treatment for fetal growth restriction during pregnancy. We report two cases that represent an example of an amnioinfusion-based management strategy for severe fetal growth restriction with umbilical cord complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered two cases of fetal growth restriction with abnormal fetal Doppler velocity. In one case, fetal ultrasound revealed a hypercoiled umbilical cord with a single umbilical artery and oligohydramnios, while fetal Doppler revealed a reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and reversed a-waves of the ductus venosus. Umbilical cord compression was confirmed at 22 weeks and 2 days of gestation, and nine amnioinfusions were performed to relieve the umbilical cord compression. A cesarean section was performed at 31 weeks and 2 days of gestation because of severe preeclampsia. The Asian infant is now a normally developed 6-month-old. In another Asian case, fetal ultrasound revealed a hypercoiled cord, while fetal Doppler revealed a reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and intermittent reversed a-waves of the ductus venosus. Umbilical cord compression was confirmed at 24 weeks and 5 days of gestation, and seven amnioinfusions were performed. A cesarean section was performed at 31 weeks and 1 day of gestation because of nonreassuring fetal status. At the age of 1 month, the Asian infant was stable on respiratory circulation. In both cases, fetal Doppler findings improved significantly following amnioinfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Amnioinfusion is a symptomatic treatment for umbilical cord compression. However, to determine the therapeutic effect of amnioinfusion, complete resolution of the umbilical cord compression should be ascertained by ultrasonography.
BACKGROUND: There is no established treatment for fetal growth restriction during pregnancy. We report two cases that represent an example of an amnioinfusion-based management strategy for severe fetal growth restriction with umbilical cord complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered two cases of fetal growth restriction with abnormal fetal Doppler velocity. In one case, fetal ultrasound revealed a hypercoiled umbilical cord with a single umbilical artery and oligohydramnios, while fetal Doppler revealed a reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and reversed a-waves of the ductus venosus. Umbilical cord compression was confirmed at 22 weeks and 2 days of gestation, and nine amnioinfusions were performed to relieve the umbilical cord compression. A cesarean section was performed at 31 weeks and 2 days of gestation because of severe preeclampsia. The Asian infant is now a normally developed 6-month-old. In another Asian case, fetal ultrasound revealed a hypercoiled cord, while fetal Doppler revealed a reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and intermittent reversed a-waves of the ductus venosus. Umbilical cord compression was confirmed at 24 weeks and 5 days of gestation, and seven amnioinfusions were performed. A cesarean section was performed at 31 weeks and 1 day of gestation because of nonreassuring fetal status. At the age of 1 month, the Asian infant was stable on respiratory circulation. In both cases, fetal Doppler findings improved significantly following amnioinfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Amnioinfusion is a symptomatic treatment for umbilical cord compression. However, to determine the therapeutic effect of amnioinfusion, complete resolution of the umbilical cord compression should be ascertained by ultrasonography.