USE OF ENERGY COLOR DOPPLER IN VISUALIZING FETAL PULMONARY VASCULARIZATION TO PREDICT THE ABSENCE OF SEVERE PULMONARY HYPOPLASIA

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine if the assessment of pulmonary vascularization by energy color Doppler during ultrasound ex amination can predict the absence of pulmonary hypoplasia before birth in situations where it is a high risk. Methods: In a prospective stud y of 12 pregnancies presenting a risk of pulmonary hypoplasia (5 early and prolonged premature ruptures of the membranes, 1 diaphragmatic he rnia, 1 chylothorax, 1 pulmonary sequestration, 1 omphalocele, I anamn ios and 2 Potter's syndromes) energy color Doppler was used to visuali ze pulmonary vascularization. Results: In 10 Gases where pulmonary vas cularization could be visualized, none of the infants had pulmonary hy poplasia, In the 2 cases of Potter's syndrome where pulmonary vascular ization was not visualized there was a pulmonary hypoplasia. Conclusio n: The visualization of fetal pulmonary vascularization with energy co lor Doppler in situations with a high risk of pulmonary hypoplasia can predict the absence of severe pulmonary hypoplasia.