Early Doppler ultrasound screening and NRBC count in prediction of PET/IUGR

111 blood samples were obtained from women at 11-14 wks of gestation with mean uterine arteries PI>1.6 as noted by Doppler ultrasonography. NRBCs were enriched by MACS using anti-CD71 conjugated beads and stained with May Grunwald / Giemsa. An average of 4.2 NRBCs (range 1-75) were identified in 91 cases. Follow up scans at 22-24 wks were available in 93 cases. In 83 Doopler normalized and in 10 high resistance uterine blood flow persisted. One woman developed PET (4 NRBCs) and another delivered an IUGR baby (75 NRBCs). NRBC number was similar in women who subsequently normalized their Doppler and in those who continued to have increased impedance. The study indicates that NRBCs in maternal blood in the Is' trimester cannot be used to identify pregnancies at high risk for PET/IUGR. Abnormal Doppler waves in the 1(st) trimester may be due to unfinished process of trophoblastic invasion, most likely to be completed successfully by 22-24 wks.