Power Doppler enhancement of the placenta by dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in term pregnancy.

We studied the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) on placental blood flow in 11 women with an uncomplicated pregnancy between 37 and 39 weeks of gestation. Power Doppler enhancement of the placenta was performed before and 60 minutes after the administration of a 200 mg intravenous dose of DHAS dissolved in 20 mL of 5% dextrose. Increased power Doppler enhancements of the placenta after DHAS injection were evident in each case studied. The power Doppler enhancement returned to the baseline imaging within 60 minutes. This DHAS loading test, assessed by means of power Doppler imaging, may be a useful technique when attempting to assess fetoplacental function in normal and high risk pregnancies.