Uterine artery Doppler in the prediction of poor pregnancy outcome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use uterine artery Doppler in the prediction of poor pregnancy outcome. A prospective study was designed. One hundred and twenty eight consecutives pregnant women between 18 and 24 weeks gestation were included in each patient uterine artery Doppler velocimetry was determined using color doppler imaging/pulsed technique. Abnormal uterine artery doppler was defined if resistance index was >90th centile. Outcome variables were pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (Fetal weight <10 centile) and preterm delivery (PTD) before 34 weeks. Fisher test, umpaired t test, were used for statistical analysis. The odds ratio, 5th/95th confidence intervals and chi square test were used to compare pregnancy outcome with normal uterine artery waveform vs abnormal. Twenty two percent of the patients has an abnormal uterine artery doppler waveform. Incidence of poor pregnancy outcome was 10%. The sensitivity of abnormal uter