Introduction: To evaluate the role of placental profile markers in second and third trimester of pregnancy in predicting hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in women at high risk of preeclampsia.
Method: Women who were at high risk of preeclampsia underwent βhCG, ultrasound assessment of placental length, thickness and its ratio, uterine artery Doppler at 20-24 weeks and 28-32 weeks of gestation, the outcome at delivery was noted. Those who developed HDP were cases and those with normal outcome were controls. The placental profile markers among cases and controls were compared.
Results: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was seen in 72/160 (45%) high risk women The serum β hCG levels at 20-24 weeks (p = 0.001) and 28-32 weeks (p = 0.018) was significantly high in women who had preeclampsia. Placental thickness was found to be less in among all subgroups of HDP, for preeclampsia, it was significantly low at 20-24 weeks (AUC- 0.743; sensitivity- 75%, specificity- 66.3%) and 28 weeks (AUC -0.764, sensitivity - 75.0% specificity - 78.7%). Uterine artery S/D ratio was considerable high in women with chronic hypertension (AUC -0.765), gestational hypertension (AUC -0.771) and preeclampsia (AUC -0.726) at 20-24 weeks. In preeclampsia group, uterine artery PI was highest and the best marker at 20-24 weeks (AUC -0.935, sensitivity - 100.0%, specificity - 87.6%).
Discussion: The placental profile markers may be used to provide closer follow up in high risk pregnancies with abnormal placental profile levels, while less intense follow up in those with normal levels, thus channelizing the resources.
Keywords: Beta hCG; Chronic hypertension; High risk pregnancy; Placental length/ thickness ratio; Preeclampsia; Uterine artery Doppler.
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