The effect of intraumbilical fetal nutrition via a subcutaneously implanted port system on amino acid concentration by severe IUGR human fetuses

Abstract

Objective: To determine if intrauterine intraumbilical supplementation with amino acids (AA) and glucose can improve neonatal outcome of severe growth restricted human fetuses (IUGR). Methods: Prospective pilot study of intrauterine treatment of severe IUGR fetuses [n = 14, 27 weeks of gestation (range 23–31)] with erebroplacental ratio < 1, with longterm intraumbilical AA and glucose supplementation (10% of feto-placental blood volume/day) using a perinatal port system alone (n = 5) or combined with hyperbaric oxygenation (n = 1, HBO) vs. control group (n = 8).