FETAL RENAL HYPERECHOGENICITY IN PATHOLOGICAL PREGNANCIES

A relationship was sought between renal hyperechogenicity and the hypo xic state of fetuses. 120 pathological pregnancies were examined betwe en the 28th and 36th week. All of these women exhibited moderately inc reased levels of hepatic enzymes, 3 of them had a pathological kidney function, and 4 of them displayed hyperuricemia during the examination period. The echogenicity of the fetal kidneys was examined with Hitac hi EUB-450 ultrasound equipment with a 3.5 MWz transducer. The kidney (creatinine, urea-N, uric acid, triglyceride, cholsterin) and liver (S GOT, SGPT, GGT, bilirubin) functions and plasma electrolytes (Na, K, C a, Cl) of the mothers a ere also examined and blood was collected from the pulsating umbilical artery for determination of the same paramete rs. After delivery, the physical condition of the neonates was followe d and their kidneys were examined with the same ultrasound equipment w ithin the first 5 days. There was a significant correlation between a pathological neonatal clinical outcome and the frequency of fetal and hyperechogenicity (chi-square test with Yates correction, p < 0.01). T he results demonstrate that fetuses exhibiting renal hyperechogenicity in pathological pregnancies require particularly careful obstetric co ntrol and neonatological consultation, It is important that hyperechog enic cases be admitted to a perinatal intensive care unit. Fetal renal hyperechogenicity is considered to be associated with an enhanced ris k of an adverse perinatal outcome.