Correlation between Fetal Renal Blood Flow and Fetal Kidney Volume in Normal and Growth Restricted Fetuses

Abstract

Background: Some trials have shown decreased weight of fetal kidney in cases of reduced neonatal weight and infants with growth-restriction at birth. In infants with growth-restriction due to poor nutrition, most of the fetal blood supply is directed to vital organs such as fetal heart and brain that leads to deprivation of remaining organs from its nutrients, such as kidney. This work aimed to assess whether the size of fetal kidney in cases of normal and restricted fetal growth patterns after 28 weeks could be affected by reduced fetal renal blood supply or not.
 Methods: This case-control trial included 60 patients who were divided into two groups: Each group composed of 30 patients; Study group: fetuses with IUGR and control group: fetuses with normal growth pattern.
 Results: There was no significance between both study groups as regard to age, weight, BMI, and gravidity. No significance between the studied groups regarding the clinical findings, gestational age, diabetes, HTN, congenital fetal anomalies, and previous C.S. A high significance was present among both groups as regard to measurements of renal artery Doppler. A correlation of statistical significance was noted as regard Doppler indices and kidney volume in the study group.
 Conclusions: The elevated pulsatility index of the renal artery of fetus in fetuses with IUGR showed -ve correlation with the volume of the fetal kidney, resulting in reduced nephron-genesis and perfusion. Restrictions in intrauterine growth are believed to be associated with a significant reduction in renal volume compared to the normal growth of fetuses. The Doppler of renal artery also reveals significant differences among study groups.