Fetal Growth Restriction Is Associated With Prioritization of Umbilical Blood Flow to the Left Hepatic Lobe at the Expense of the Right Lobe Kessler J et al. - Portal replaced umbilical flow to the right lobe, in a manner graded according to placental vascular resistance; in extreme cases, the right lobe received no umbilical perfusion. In fetal growth restriction, the liver suffers from venous hypoperfusion, and portal blood partially replaces umbilical flow to the right lobe; this will result in right liver lobe hypoxemia. This striking prioritization in nutrient delivery of left over right lobes suggests an adaptive response to poor placental perfusion that may have functional consequences. [more...]
