Early Uterine and Umbilical Artery Doppler Indices as Predictor for Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder that causes hypertension and proteinuria after week 20 of pregnancy. Several Uterine Artery (UtAs) Doppler characteristics have been investigated for their ability to predict PE. The purpose of this research is to look into the uterine and umbilical arterial Doppler indices in the early second trimester for the prediction of late preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort clinical study and was done at Obstetrics and Gynecology department, faculty of medicine Tanta university hospital from January 2020 till April 2021. 150 pregnant women aged from 18 to 30 years old with gestational age from 13 to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Study was done by the same observer by machine MINDRAY DC60 Measurement of fetal biometry (BPD, FL, AC, HC) Gestational age was confirmed with Detection of congenital malformation.

Results: There is a significant difference between the groups regarding uterine and umbilical artery doppler Indices. Uterine RI only yielded significance for predicting IUGR with sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 88%, with Positive predictive value (PPV) 37% and Negative predictive value (NPV) 92%. Umbilical resistance index achieved sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 82%, with PPV 31% and NPV 30% with on statistical significance.

Conclusions: Combination of uterine and umbilical artery Doppler study in early pregnancy is one of the best indicator for prediction of preeclampsia and IUGR. Therefore, Doppler study may be used for the prediction of preeclampsia and IUGR to reduce the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.