place of uterine artery and umbilical artery doppler in prediction of hypertensive disorders (pre-eclampsia) among pregnant women at a resource poor setting

Abstract

Background: Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry have shown promise but the results of previous studies have not been conclusive/poor methodologies. Aim: To determine the predictive value of uterine and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry for pre-eclampsia and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A comparative study among 100 women who attended ante natal clinic in the hospital within the study period who has high risk for development of pre-eclampsia. The peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, Resistivity index, Pulsatility index and S/D ratio of the uterine and umbilical arteries were studied at 18-20 weeks and 36-37 weeks. sociodemographic data were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 26, Chicago11, USA). P value of ≤ 0.05 was significant. Results: Resistivity/Pulsatility indices at 18-20 weeks are better predictors of preeclampsia as against EDV at 36-37 weeks. Pregnant women at 18-20 weeks gestational showed that only mean RI (≈ 0.53  0.02) of the umbilical artery was associated with adverse outcome (p = 0.009). However, at 36-37 weeks, the mean uterine artery EDV of 14.69  2.04 was associated with adverse outcome (p = 0.001). Conclusion Adverse pregnancy outcome at n18-20 weeks was associated with resistivity index while EDV is more associated with adverse outcomes at 36-37 weeks.