Reversed diastolic umbilical artery flow in the first trimester associated with chromosomal fetal abnormalities or cardiac defects.

BACKGROUND

Six cases have been reported of reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery (UA) blood flow at 10-14 weeks' gestation. Four were associated with chromosomal anomalies, and one showed congenital heart disease.

CASES

This report describes two cases of reversed end-diastolic UA flow at 10 and 12 weeks' gestation with increased nuchal translucency in which cytogenetic analysis by chorionic villus sampling showed triploidy (69,XXX) and trisomy 9, respectively. In second case, the fetus had a ventricular septal defect.

CONCLUSION

Reversed end-diastolic UA flow in the first trimester might be an important sign of chromosomal abnormalities in early pregnancy and might be a useful signal for the diagnosis of early cardiac defects.