Foetal biophysical profile versus doppler study: a comparative study for their predictive value in high risk pregnancy and perinatal outcome

ABSTRACT

Seventy high-risk pregnant patients were followed up in the antenatal care outpatient clinic and in the obstetric department in Kasr El Eini hospital from January 1990 till March 1992. Biophysical profile testing and umbilical artery Doppler study were done during follow up for case and reported accordingly. Obstetric decisions were not affected by the results of the Doppler study but by the sum of whole examination, follow up and special investigations done. The prenatal outcome was matched with the results of biophysical profile and Doppler study. The predictive values for abnormal and normal results of the tested parameters were compared [72% and 80% with biophysical profile and 80% and 86% with Doppler study]. The results with Doppler study were higher, yet they were not that much statistically significant. The predictive values when both parameters were abnormal or normal together in the same case were much superior than with single parameters. Doppler umbilical artery flow studies are an important adjunct to the biophysical profile in high risk pregnancy. The final Obstetric decision should be based on both parameters and not on abnormal parameters