ABSTRACT
Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery and nonstress testing [NST] were done for 60 patients with high risk pregnancies. These included severe pre-eclampsia [N= 18], severe hypertension [N=11], diabetes [N=10], postdate [N=7], suspected IUGR [N=14]. Both tests were done on the same day on weekly basis or more frequently whenever necessary to evaluate fetal condition, predict any adverse outcome, and to avoid unexpected fetal demise. Neonatal outcome was determined by 1 and 5 minute Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care unit [NICU], and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Adverse fetal outcome was encountered in 80% and 88% of fetuses with abnormal doppler and abnormal NST respectively. On the other hand adverse outcome was found in 30% and 40% of fetuses with normal Doppler and NST respectively. When both tests were abnormal. 95% of fetuses showed adverse outcome. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were nearly the same for both tests with no superiority of one test over the other. It is concluded that Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery and NST are useful in predicting fetal outcome. The two tests are complementary to one another with the doppler measuring umbilical blood flow and NST measuring CNS function