Doppler Indices and Notching Assessment of Uterine Artery Between the 19th and 22nd Week of Pregnancy in the Prediction of Pregnancy Outcome.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the value of Doppler indices and notching assessment of uterine artery between the 19th and 22nd week of gestation in the prediction of pregnancy outcome such as delivery mode, birth weight, Apgar score, afterbirth pH, fetal presentation, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in singleton pregnancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of Doppler ultrasound of the uterine arteries at 19-22 week of gestation in 1,472 women with singleton pregnancies.

RESULTS: Patients with bilateral high resistance-index (RI) and pulsatility-index (RI) or with the presence of a notch showed a significantly higher prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), low Apgar Scores at the 1st and the 5th min, high c-section rate, preterm birth, breech birth, placental insufficiency and placental abruption. The presence of a notch significantly increased the prevalence of severe preeclampsia, HELLP-syndrome and oligohydramnios. Also, patients with a bilateral uterine notching had a higher c-section rate along with higher prevalence of SGA and IUGR at screening time.

CONCLUSION: Uterine artery Doppler waveform analysis as well as the assessment of the presence of a notch in the second trimester can be used as a screening method to identify women who will thereafter develop a severe adverse outcome.