Does Doppler Ultrasound Improve the Outcome in Restricted Intrauterine Growth?

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a clinical condition that carries a 4-8-fold increased risk of poor perinatal outcome. If other adverse conditions (infections, malformations, karyotype abnormalities, twin or higherorder pregnancies) are found in association with IUGR, the principal cause of the poor perinatal outcome may be placental obliterative vasculopathy. This situation, often a consequence of insufficient secondary trophoblastic invasion, induces a reduction of nutrients and oxygen supply from the mother to the fetus.