Improvement of mesenteric superior artery Doppler velocimetry by amnio-infusion in fetal gastroschisis

This study aimed to analyse the influence of amnio‐infusion on superior mesenteric Doppler velocimetry and to correlate Doppler data with outcome in fetuses presenting with gastroschisis. Umbilical and intra‐ and extra‐abdominal superior mesenteric artery Doppler velocimetry was measured prospectively before and after amnio‐infusion in fetuses with gastroschisis. Doppler index values and changes were correlated with the following outcome parameters: importance of fibrous coating, duration of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, total duration of hospitalization, duration of parenteral feeding, duration of ventilatory assistance, and the interval to initiation of oral feeding. A significant improvement of diastolic flow was observed in the extra‐abdominal superior mesenteric artery with amnio‐infusion. No similar change was seen in the intra‐abdominal superior mesenteric or in the umbilical artery. Pre‐amnioinfusion extra‐abdominal mesenteric Doppler index was correlated with maximal diameter of exteriorized bowel and slightly with duration of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, but no other relation between Doppler index and outcome parameter could be ascertained. Amnio‐infusion induces modifications in the vascularization of exteriorized bowel in gastroschisis. This could partly explain the beneficial effect of this procedure on fetal gut. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.