Transabdominal uterine arteries Doppler at 12–14th and 20–24th week of gestation and pregnancy outcome: A prospective study☆
Received 26 January 2009; received in revised form 15 July 2009; accepted 25 July 2009. published online 17 August 2009.
Abstract
Objective
To identify women at actual risk of pre-eclampsia and poor pregnancy outcome in a selected group of high risk patients.
Study design
Prospective study of women with previous pre-eclampsia and/or intra uterine growth retardation, intra uterine death (≥20th week), chronic hypertension, three or more previous spontaneous abortions. All subjects were followed-up till pregnancy outcome. Gestational week at delivery and birth weight were recorded. Other outcome measures were: intra uterine growth retardation, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, abruptio placenta, admission in neonatal intensive care unit.
Results
139 patients were enrolled and followed-up until the end of pregnancy. Abnormal Doppler results at 12–14th week examination were associated with intra uterine growth retardation, fetal death/spontaneous abortion and small for gestational age birth.
Conclusions
This study indicates that early evaluation of arterial uterine RI and presence of notches may be predictive of low birth weight and intra uterine growth retardation in a high risk population.
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
bI Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena, Milano, Italy
Corresponding author at: I Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, Università di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Mangiagalli Regina Elena, via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy. Tel.: +39 2 55032318; fax: +39 2 50320252.
☆ This study was conducted in Bergamo, Italy, Europe.
ABSTRACT