Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of maternal nifedipine administration on placental and fetal blood flow.
Methods: A total of 29 patients with preterm labor diagnosis admitted to the tertiary care center, Zeynep Kamil Hospital, were evaluated. Before and 24-48 h after administration of oral nifedipine, Doppler ultrasound scan was carried out to measure fetal middle cerebral artery, ductus venosus, umbilical artery, and maternal uterine artery blood flow.
Results: After 24 and 48 h of therapy, there were no changes in mean PI and RI in the umbilical arteries and ductus venosus (p > 0.05). Fetal middle cerebral artery and maternal uterine artery PI and RI values showed a significant reduction 24-48 h after oral nifedipine therapy (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our study showed that 24 and 48 h after oral nifedipine therapy, there is a significant increase in fetal MCA and maternal uterine artery blood flow, while fetal umbilical artery and ductus venosus Doppler values do not change.
Keywords: Ductus venosus; Middle cerebral artery; Nifedipine; Umbilical artery; Uterine artery.