Value of umbilical artery doppler velocimetry in preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension

ABSTRACT

One hundred and twelve pregnant patients with preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension were followed prospectively by a non- stress test, biophysical profile and Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery. Gestational age at delivery ranged from 35 to 42 weeks. Adverse perinatal outcome was detected in 15 patients and abnormal antepartum tests were detected in 29 patients. Eight patients had an abnormally elevated resistance index in umbilical artery, 4 of them with an abnormal perinatal outcome. Seven out of 18 patients with low biophysical profile had abnormal perinatal outcome. Four out of 12 patients with an abnormal non-stress test had abnormal perinatal outcome and in eight patients, more antepartum tests were abnormal. Biophysical profile demonstrated the best sensitivity and umbilical artery resistance index demonstrated the best positive predictive value