What is the normal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow at 14 weeks gestation?

From the Research

Ductus Venosus Blood Flow at 14 Weeks Gestation

• The normal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow at 14 weeks gestation is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the normal values for DV blood flow in the given gestational age range.
• A study by 1 measured DV blood flow in normal human fetuses aged 8-38 weeks and found that the mean peak systolic DV velocity was 0.33 +/- 0.11 meters/sec (m/s) during this time period.
• The same study found that the time-averaged velocity (TAMX) was 0.24 +/- 0.09 m/s, and the maximum velocity during atrial contraction was 0.15 +/- 0.09 m/s.
• Another study by 2 found that abnormal flow in the DV was the only significant difference between chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses at 11-14 weeks of gestation.
• However, none of the studies provide a specific normal range for DV blood flow at exactly 14 weeks gestation.

Abnormal Ductus Venosus Blood Flow

• Abnormal DV blood flow has been associated with chromosomal abnormalities and cardiac defects in fetuses 2, 3, 4, 5.
• A study by 4 found that abnormal DV blood flow in chromosomally normal fetuses with normal nuchal translucency identified those with underlying major cardiac defects.
• Another study by 5 found that detection rates for aneuploidy with the use of DV blood flow studies range from 59 to 93% with 2 to 21% false-positive rates.

Measurement of Ductus Venosus Blood Flow

• DV blood flow can be measured using Doppler ultrasound 2, 3, 4, 5, 1.
• A study by 1 established a standardized measurement technique for DV blood flow and found that technically acceptable DV blood flow velocity waveform patterns were collected from 89.9% of pregnant women.