[The use of Doppler-ultrasound in obstetrics].
Several investigations have suggested an association between intrauterine growth retardation or an adverse neonatal outcome and increased vascular resistance in the fetal and maternal uteroplacental circulation assessed by Doppler-ultrasound. Meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials showed that the use of Doppler-ultrasound in the surveillance of high-risk pregnancies reduced the perinatal mortality considerably. Taken together, there is evidence to suggest that Doppler-ultrasound is a valuable tool for discriminating between normal small and "sick" small fetuses. Screening in unselected populations of low-risk pregnancies, however, seems to be without any benefit.