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Umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound

A scan of the blood flow in the cord that carries blood to and from the baby. In high-risk pregnancies a Cochrane review linked its use with fewer baby deaths around birth, and with fewer inductions of labour and caesarean births, based on moderate-quality evidence. It found no clear difference for stillbirths alone. The review found no follow-up of these babies later in childhood.

  • Technology
  • In this atlas

Overview

Technical summary

A Doppler mode of pregnancy ultrasound. The Cochrane review (PMID 28613398; 19 trials, 10,667 women, searched to March 2017) compared umbilical artery Doppler with no Doppler or cardiotocography in high-risk pregnancies defined by the trials. The SMFM consult (PMID 32407785) recommends serial umbilical artery Doppler once fetal growth restriction is diagnosed. Both are shown as claims; the review population is high-risk pregnancy and not only growth restriction.

How it works

Doppler ultrasound shows the speed and direction of blood flow (MedlinePlus); in pregnancy the Cochrane review compares Doppler of the umbilical artery of the unborn baby with no Doppler or with cardiotocography. Abnormal blood flow patterns in the fetal circulation may indicate poor fetal prognosis (review background).

Strengths

  • The Cochrane review found fewer perinatal deaths, fewer inductions of labour and fewer caesarean sections where umbilical artery Doppler was used in high-risk pregnancy, with moderate-quality evidence for these outcomes.

Limitations

  • The review background says false positive Doppler findings could lead to adverse outcomes from unnecessary interventions, including preterm delivery.
  • None of the evidence for the main outcomes was graded high quality, and the review found no comparative long-term follow-up of exposed babies.

Required infrastructure

  • An ultrasound device with Doppler, and a trained sonographer.

Claims and evidence

Context Babies of women with high-risk pregnancies in trials of Doppler ultrasound (Cochrane review)

Recipient
Mixed recipients
Population
Fetuses and babies of women with high-risk pregnancies in 19 randomised and quasi-randomised trials that compared Doppler ultrasound of umbilical and fetal vessels with no Doppler ultrasound. The abstract does not define high risk beyond the trials own definitions. Outcomes in this context (perinatal deaths and stillbirths) are counted in babies and include deaths before and after birth.
Care setting
Antenatal care in the included trials; setting not described in the abstract
Geography
Not stated in the abstract
Life stage
Pregnancy, high risk; follow-up to birth and the newborn period
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of Doppler ultrasound of umbilical and fetal vessel waveforms in high-risk pregnancies, compared with no Doppler ultrasound
Excluded
  • Cluster-randomised trials were eligible, but none were identified

  • Effect Evidence synthesis Moderate certainty

    A Cochrane review of 19 trials involving 10,667 women in high-risk pregnancies found that Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical artery was associated with fewer perinatal deaths than no Doppler or cardiotocography: risk ratio 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.52 to 0.98; 16 studies, 10,225 babies), 1.2% versus 1.7%, number needed to treat 203 (95% CI 103 to 4352). The review authors graded this evidence moderate.

    Applies to Mixed recipients
    • Fetuses and babies of women with high-risk pregnancies in 19 randomised and quasi-randomised trials that compared Doppler ultrasound of umbilical and fetal vessels with no Doppler ultrasound. The abstract does not define high risk beyond the trials own definitions. Outcomes in this context (perinatal deaths and stillbirths) are counted in babies and include deaths before and after birth.
    • Antenatal care in the included trials; setting not described in the abstract
    • Not stated in the abstract
    • Pregnancy, high risk; follow-up to birth and the newborn period
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
    Certainty method
    Cochrane review authors' own GRADE assessment for the perinatal death outcome, as stated in the abstract (moderate)
    Limitations
    High-risk pregnancy is defined by the included trials and is not limited to growth restriction; the abstract does not say how many had growth restriction. None of the evidence for the main outcomes was graded high; risk of bias was hard to assess because of incomplete reporting, and evidence was downgraded for missing information on trial methods, imprecision and heterogeneity. The upper end of the interval (0.98) is close to no difference. The same review found no clear difference for stillbirths alone (see the stillbirth claim) and reports no comparative long-term follow-up of babies exposed to Doppler ultrasound in these pregnancies. The searches ran to 31 March 2017. Only the abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (12)

    1. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 4
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 5, fragment 1 of 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 5, fragment 2 of 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    6. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 6, fragment 2 of 4
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    7. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 6, fragment 3 of 4
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    8. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 6, fragment 4 of 4
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    9. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 9, fragment 1 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    10. Background Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, SEARCH METHODS, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Frames the population or setting. PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    11. Background Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, SELECTION CRITERIA, sentence 1, fragment 1 of 2
      How it applies
      Frames the population or setting. PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    12. Background Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, SELECTION CRITERIA, sentence 1, fragment 2 of 2
      How it applies
      Frames the population or setting. PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

  • Effect Evidence synthesis Low certainty

    In the same Cochrane review, the result for stillbirths was consistent with the overall rate of perinatal deaths, but there was no clear difference between groups for this outcome: risk ratio 0.65 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.04; 15 studies, 9560 babies). The review authors graded this evidence low.

    Applies to Mixed recipients
    • Fetuses and babies of women with high-risk pregnancies in 19 randomised and quasi-randomised trials that compared Doppler ultrasound of umbilical and fetal vessels with no Doppler ultrasound. The abstract does not define high risk beyond the trials own definitions. Outcomes in this context (perinatal deaths and stillbirths) are counted in babies and include deaths before and after birth.
    • Antenatal care in the included trials; setting not described in the abstract
    • Not stated in the abstract
    • Pregnancy, high risk; follow-up to birth and the newborn period
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
    Certainty method
    Cochrane review authors' own GRADE assessment for the stillbirth outcome, as stated in the abstract (low)
    Limitations
    The confidence interval includes no difference, so this outcome does not show a benefit on its own. The review reports no comparative long-term follow-up of babies exposed to Doppler ultrasound in these pregnancies. Only the abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (4)

    1. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 7, fragment 1 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 7, fragment 2 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 7, fragment 3 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 9, fragment 1 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Context Fetuses with diagnosed fetal growth restriction, as addressed by SMFM Consult Series #52

Recipient
Fetal
Population
Fetuses of pregnancies in which fetal growth restriction has been diagnosed (an ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference below the 10th percentile for gestational age, per the guideline).
Care setting
Prenatal care; setting not stated in the abstract
Geography
Not stated in the abstract (SMFM is a US society)
Life stage
Pregnancy
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
Eligibility: inclusion criteria not stated; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
None stated
Excluded
  • Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Consult Series #52) recommends that once fetal growth restriction is diagnosed, serial umbilical artery Doppler assessment be performed to assess for deterioration (the guideline's own rating is GRADE 1C).

    Applies to Fetal
    • Fetuses of pregnancies in which fetal growth restriction has been diagnosed (an ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference below the 10th percentile for gestational age, per the guideline).
    • Prenatal care; setting not stated in the abstract
    • Not stated in the abstract (SMFM is a US society)
    • Pregnancy
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    This is one recommendation from a long list in the same consult. The rating is the guideline authors' and is shown as they state it. The abstract also suggests that Doppler of the ductus venosus, middle cerebral artery or uterine artery not be used for routine management of fetal growth restriction (GRADE 2B). Only the abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (4)

    1. Supports Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #52: Diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction: (Replaces Clinical Guideline Number 3, April 2012)

      Publication · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2020-05-12 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.010 · PMID: 32407785

      Locator
      Abstract, sentence 5, fragment 12 of 32
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      46146a6010bb229ca5fd35bacf5da7650a106f68c1ffe3d41d8515bb71aa00c4
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #52: Diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction: (Replaces Clinical Guideline Number 3, April 2012)

      Publication · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2020-05-12 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.010 · PMID: 32407785

      Locator
      Abstract, sentence 5, fragment 13 of 32
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      46146a6010bb229ca5fd35bacf5da7650a106f68c1ffe3d41d8515bb71aa00c4
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #52: Diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction: (Replaces Clinical Guideline Number 3, April 2012)

      Publication · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2020-05-12 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.010 · PMID: 32407785

      Locator
      ArticleTitle
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      46146a6010bb229ca5fd35bacf5da7650a106f68c1ffe3d41d8515bb71aa00c4
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #52: Diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction: (Replaces Clinical Guideline Number 3, April 2012)

      Publication · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2020-05-12 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.010 · PMID: 32407785

      Locator
      Abstract, sentence 5, fragment 2 of 32
      How it applies
      Frames the population or setting. PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      46146a6010bb229ca5fd35bacf5da7650a106f68c1ffe3d41d8515bb71aa00c4
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Context Women with high-risk pregnancies in trials of Doppler ultrasound (Cochrane review)

Recipient
Maternal
Population
Women with high-risk pregnancies in the trials of Doppler ultrasound reviewed by Cochrane. Outcomes in this context (induction of labour, caesarean section, operative vaginal birth) are counted in women.
Care setting
Antenatal care and birth in the included trials; setting not described in the abstract
Geography
Not stated in the abstract
Life stage
Pregnancy, high risk; labour and birth
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of Doppler ultrasound of umbilical and fetal vessel waveforms in high-risk pregnancies, compared with no Doppler ultrasound
Excluded
  • Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.

  • Effect Evidence synthesis Moderate certainty

    In the Cochrane review of Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies, fewer inductions of labour were reported where Doppler was used (average risk ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99; 10 studies, 5633 women; random-effects) and fewer caesarean sections (risk ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.97; 14 studies, 7918 women). The review authors graded both moderate. There was no difference in operative vaginal births (risk ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.14; four studies, 2813 women).

    Applies to Maternal
    • Women with high-risk pregnancies in the trials of Doppler ultrasound reviewed by Cochrane. Outcomes in this context (induction of labour, caesarean section, operative vaginal birth) are counted in women.
    • Antenatal care and birth in the included trials; setting not described in the abstract
    • Not stated in the abstract
    • Pregnancy, high risk; labour and birth
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not stated in the parts of the source that were read.
    Certainty method
    Cochrane review authors' own GRADE assessment for the induction of labour and caesarean section outcomes, as stated in the abstract (moderate)
    Limitations
    These outcomes are counted in women, not babies. The upper end of the induction interval is 0.99. High-risk pregnancy is defined by the included trials and is not limited to growth restriction. Only the abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (3)

    1. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 8, fragment 1 of 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 8, fragment 2 of 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies

      Publication · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, retrieved 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not read. · Published 2017-06-13 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007529.pub4 · PMID: 28613398

      Locator
      Abstract, MAIN RESULTS, sentence 9, fragment 2 of 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      a330a2a35b807886c03bdbfdd6ae55f0b940f8336a427ad30f920e74f8c0a02f
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Clinical links

Each link reports what one cited claim says about one population. "Evaluated for" means studied, not shown to work. These links do not show that anything is effective or right for you.

Record details

Record id
maternal:umbilical-artery-doppler
Content hash
c3cc92089f8849187f03533978e6ed80034787a8d19b2ccd73307952e51c90be