Blood flow velocity waveforms from fetal peripheral pulmonary arteries in pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of the membranes: relationship with pulmonary hypoplasia

Abstract

The measurement of peripheral pulmonary velocity waveforms may help to establish the risk of developing pulmonary hypoplasia in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes.

Accuracy of imaging parameters in the prediction of lethal pulmonary hypoplasia secondary to mid‐trimester prelabor rupture of fetal membranes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Figure 1 summarizes the identification and selection process of the thirteen published studies included in this meta‐analysis12–24. All studies reported on ultrasound parameters, and one also evaluated (two‐dimensional) MRI parameters.…”

Outcomes following prolonged preterm premature rupture of the membranes

“…PPROM may cause adverse outcomes via oligohydramnios, which in turn leads to pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary artery musculature hyperplasia 10 22 – 24. Postnatally this leads to difficulties with ventilation, including air leak, pulmonary hypertension and severe hypoxia.…”

Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes: Current Approaches to Evaluation and Management

“…Over a period of weeks, the lungs fail to grow in pace with the remainder of the fetus. This is manifest on ultrasound as a lag in chest circumference, chest-abdomen ratio, or lung length, among other indirect parameters of pulmonary growth [15,33,34]. Because the lag in lung growth likely reflects the results of an earlier insult rather than an ongoing process, it is unlikely that earlier delivery enhances outcome once pulmonary hypoplasia is suspected.…”