Serum Estriol, human placental lactogen and fetal abdominal circumference as predictors of intra uterine growth retardation in pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT

Intra-uterine growth retardation [IUGR] is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality which is frequently associated with pre-eclampsia. In a trial to search for an ideal method to predict IUGR, this study was performed on 30 cases of pre-eclampsia [20 mild cases and 10 severe cases]. These patients were subjected to single estimation of estriol [E3] human placental lactogen [HPL] and ultrasonographic measurment of abdominal circumference [AC] at 32-36 weeks of gestation and the patients were followed up till time of delivery. This study showed that AC is the most sensitive parameter in prediction of IUGR than serum HPL and serum estriol where its specificity was 91.7% and sensitivity was 100%. Furtherome, it is a simple, non-invasive method and could be used as a routine method for screening of IUGR in high-risk pregnancy especially in pre-eclampsia