Prediction of Preeclampsia and intrauterine Growth Restriction Using Uterine artery Doppler

Abstract

This is a cross sectional hospital based control study conducted at Alamal National Hospital (out patients’ clinic) from July 2010 to January 2011. The study included 50 women with singleton pregnancies at 12-24 weeks of gestation who had history of PIH, low birth weight fetus and/or unexplained prenatal fetal death in their previous pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine the value of one step uterine artery Doppler at first and second trimester of pregnancy in the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) and/or intrauterine growth restriction( IUGR). Uterine artery blood flow study, Resistance Index (RI) and Pulsitility Index (PI) of uterine artery were calculated. The study shows that (30%) of this study population had high (RI) and (PI) with low blood flow. Most of the cases (73.3%) >14 weeks of gestation ,with average age of 37 years old. PIH was the most frequent risk factor. Doppler ultrasound provided more accurate prediction when performed in the second trimester than in the first trimester. An increased Resistivity and pulsitility index alone or with notching was the best predictor of pre-eclampsia among high risk patients and it is the most predictive Doppler indecis.