ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between absent end-diastolic velocity (AEDV) in umbilical artery and perinatal outcome,and to explore the effect of termination time of pregnancy on perinatal outcome. Methods Data of thirty five pregnant women with AEDV admitted into Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.According to gestational age and treatment,they were divided into four groups.Group 1:AEDV was identified before 28 weeks without treatment (n=5); Group 2:AEDV was found before 28 weeks,and then was treated (n=13); Group 3:AEDV was found after 28 weeks,and was not treated (n=11); Group 4:AEDV was found after 28 weeks,and then was treated (n=6). Except for three patients in Group 2,all patients had complications.Data were presented by frequency,rate or mean±SD. Results Among the 35 patients,19 (54.3%) delivered and 23 living children were born.When AEDV was found,the gestational age was less than 28 weeks and the mean gestational age was (22.8 ± 2.2) weeks in Group 1,(24.2 ± 2.0) weeks in Group 2,however,the gestational age was over 28 weeks and the mean value was (30.9± 2.8) weeks in Group 3 and (29.5±0.8) weeks in Group 4.Treatment was given to women in Groups 2 and 4,but not in Group 1 and 3.In Group 1,one patient complicated with twin-twin transfusion syndrome; one with hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes and low platelet syndrome and placental abruption; three recovered after two weeks and babies survived.In Group 2,the termination time was (31.4 ± 5.5)gestational weeks and the duration of treatment was (10.7± 5.5) days.AEDV of six patients were not improved after treatment,among which five accepted induced abortion,one had preterm delivery.The rest six women underwent cesarean section and one term delivered.Babies survived except for one preterm neonate and one lost in follow-up.In Group 3,the termination time was (31.2 ± 2.9)gestational weeks.Five patients accepted artificial abortion for severe complications of mother or babies; the other six patients accepted cesarean section,among which one complicated with placental abruption and baby died.The rest five babies survived.In Group 4,the pregnancies were terminated at an average of (32.8±2.9) gestational weeks and the duration of treatment was (10.8±6.7) days.Two accepted induction after treatment and four recovered to normal after treatment and accepted cesarean section with four wellbeing babies. Conclusions Perinatal outcomes of patients with AEDV complicated with severe complications after active treatment might relate to the termination time.Some patients with AEDV without severe complications might recover spontaneously with good prognosis.