Doppler assessment of tracheal and nasal fluid flow during fetal breathing movements: preliminary observations. 1997

K D Kalache, and R Chaoui, and R Bollmann
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charité Medical Faculty, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.

Our aim was to determine if it was technically possible to assess fetal tracheal fluid flow during fetal breathing movements, and to compare the data obtained with those recorded in the fetal nasopharynx. Tracheal and nasal fluid flow was analyzed in ten uncomplicated pregnancies, the gestational age ranging between 28 and 38 weeks. Color Doppler was used to detect the fluid displacement in the trachea generated by fetal breathing movements. Spectral Doppler was then used to analyze the fluid flow velocity waveforms. During the same breathing episode, nasal fluid flow was assessed by the same technique. The inspiration and expiration times were variable and not statistically comparable for both nasal and tracheal flow. Peak velocities of inspired and expired fluid were higher in the trachea than in the nose (p < 0.05). We found that the peak velocity of tracheal flow waveforms was significantly higher for inspiration than expiration (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the time velocity integral between inspiration and expiration (p = 0.79). The calculated intratracheal flow volume displaced during one breathing cycle increased from 1.3 to 5.0 ml with advancing gestation. Assessment of nasal and tracheal flow, using color and spectral Doppler, is feasible in the human fetus. Intratracheal flow measurements may provide an insight into the effect of fetal breathing movements on lung fluid in the human fetus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D009296 Nasal Cavity The proximal portion of the respiratory passages on either side of the NASAL SEPTUM. Nasal cavities, extending from the nares to the NASOPHARYNX, are lined with ciliated NASAL MUCOSA. Nasal Cavities,Cavities, Nasal,Cavity, Nasal
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D012119 Respiration The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration ( Breathing
D005260 Female Females
D005325 Fetal Organ Maturity Functional competence of specific organs or body systems of the FETUS in utero. Fetal Maturity, Functional,Functional Fetal Maturity,Maturity, Fetal Organ,Maturity, Functional Fetal,Organ Maturity, Fetal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014132 Trachea The cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi. Tracheas
D014882 Water-Electrolyte Balance The balance of fluid in the BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS; total BODY WATER; BLOOD VOLUME; EXTRACELLULAR SPACE; INTRACELLULAR SPACE, maintained by processes in the body that regulate the intake and excretion of WATER and ELECTROLYTES, particularly SODIUM and POTASSIUM. Fluid Balance,Electrolyte Balance,Balance, Electrolyte,Balance, Fluid,Balance, Water-Electrolyte,Water Electrolyte Balance
D016216 Ultrasonography, Prenatal The visualization of tissues during pregnancy through recording of the echoes of ultrasonic waves directed into the body. The procedure may be applied with reference to the mother or the fetus and with reference to organs or the detection of maternal or fetal disease. Fetal Ultrasonography,Prenatal Diagnosis, Ultrasonic,Ultrasonography, Fetal,Diagnosis, Prenatal Ultrasonic,Diagnosis, Ultrasonic Prenatal,Prenatal Ultrasonic Diagnosis,Prenatal Ultrasonography,Ultrasonic Diagnosis, Prenatal,Ultrasonic Prenatal Diagnosis,Diagnoses, Prenatal Ultrasonic,Diagnoses, Ultrasonic Prenatal,Prenatal Diagnoses, Ultrasonic,Prenatal Ultrasonic Diagnoses,Ultrasonic Diagnoses, Prenatal,Ultrasonic Prenatal Diagnoses

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