[Venous Doppler in non-immunologic hydrops fetalis]. / Venöser Doppler beim nichtimmunologischen Hydrops fetalis.

Fifteen fetuses with nonimmune hydrops underwent venous Doppler examinations of inferior vena caval flow. The results were analysed retrospectively. Increased retrograde inferior vena caval flow was defined as pathological (> 15% as anterograde flow). This finding correlates with reduced fetal cardiac output. Nine of fifteen fetuses had increased retrograde flow of inferior vena cava. In comparison to the group with physiologic Doppler parameters the perinatal mortality was significantly higher (p < 0.027) in the group with increased retrograde flow of the inferior vena cava. This and other results as well as the rate of remission underline the value of venous Doppler in predicting fetal outcome.