Assessment of nitrite oxide and maternal–fetal Doppler parameters during pregnancy

AbstractObjective: The objective was to evaluate and compare the whole blood nitrite concentration in the three trimesters of pregnancy. Additionally, we investigate whether there is any relation between nitrite concentrations and Doppler ultrasound analysis of some maternal and fetal vessels.Methods: Thirty-three healthy pregnant women were examined at the first (11–14 weeks), second (20–24 weeks) and third trimester (34–36 weeks) of pregnancy. In the three exams, we determined the maternal whole blood nitrite concentration and uterine arteries Doppler analysis to determine pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI). In the second and third trimester we also performed fetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries PI and RI. We compared the concentrations of nitrite in three trimesters and correlated with Doppler parameters.Results: No difference was observed in the whole blood nitrite concentrations across trimesters: 151.70 ± 77.90 nmol/ml, 142.10 ± 73.50 nmol/ml and 147.10 ± 87.30 nmol/ml; first,...