Effect of fetal gender on ductus venosus pulsatility index and diameter at gestational age 17-37 weeks.

OBJECTIVE Recent findings have suggested that ductus venosus blood flow in the first trimester may be influenced by fetal gender. The aim of the present study was to investigate further the influence of fetal gender on ductus venosus (DV) pulsatility index (PI) and diameter at gestational age 17-37 weeks. MATERIAL AND METHOD This was a cross-sectional study. Three measurements were made for each the DV PI and diameter in each fetus during fetal quiescence. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 14.0 software was used to create nomograms for the DV PI and diameter against gestational age in each gender group. The DV PI and diameter were compared between fetal genders using independent Student's t-test. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the DV PI and diameter between fetal sexes. CONCLUSION Fetal gender does not influence the DV PI and diameter at gestational age 17-37 weeks.