Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of uterine artery Doppler imaging at 22-24 weeks of gestation for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Materials and methods: This was a prospective study in which uterine artery Doppler was performed at 22-24 weeks of gestation in 165 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies. A pulsatility index (PI) more than 1.45 or bilateral uterine notching was labeled as abnormal Doppler. The pregnancy outcome was assessed in terms of normal outcome, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR), low birth weight, spontaneous preterm delivery, oligohydramnios, fetal loss or at least one adverse outcome.
Results: Out of 165 patients, 35 (21.2%) had abnormal second trimester uterine artery Doppler. In pregnancies that resulted in preeclampsia (PE), (n=21), FGR, (n=21), and low birth weight (n=39), the median uterine artery PI was higher (1.52, 1.41, and 1.27 respectively). In the presence of abnormal Doppler, the risk of PE [OR=10.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): (3.91-29.1); p<0.001], FGR [OR=4.34, 95% CI: (1.62-11.6); p=0.002], low birth weight [OR=6.39, 95% CI: (3.16-12.9); p<0.001] and the risk of at least one obstetric complication [OR=8.73, 95% CI: (3.5-21.3); p<0.001] was significantly high. The positive predictive value of abnormal uterine artery Doppler was highest for preeclampsia (36.84%) among all adverse pregnancy outcomes assessed.
Conclusion: Uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography at 22-24 weeks of gestation is a significant predictor of at least one adverse pregnancy outcome, with the highest prediction for preeclampsia.
Keywords: Uterine artery Doppler; adverse obstetric outcome; fetal growth restriction; low birth weight; preeclampsia.