Maternal uterine artery Doppler in the first and second trimesters as screening method for hypertensive disorders and adverse perinatal outcomes in low-risk pregnancies

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the maternal demographic characteristics and uterine artery (UA) Doppler parameters at first and second trimesters of pregnancy as predictors for hypertensive disorders (HDs) and adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study comprised 162 singleton low-risk women undergoing routine antenatal care. The left and right UA were assessed by color and pulsed Doppler and the mean pulsatility and resistance indices as well as the presence of a bilateral protodiastolic notch were recorded at 11 to 14 and 20 to 24 weeks' gestation. Multilevel regression analysis was used to determine the effects of maternal characteristics and abnormal UA Doppler parameters on the incidence of HD, small for gestational age newborn, cesarean section rate, Apgar score 95th percentile only at the first trimester showed an increased risk for HD (odds ratio, 23.25; 95% confidence interval, 3.47 to 155.73; P95th percentile (odds ratio, 9.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 92.10; P=0.05). The model including maternal age, maternal and paternal ethnicity, occupation, parity and UA mean RI increased the relative risk for HD (area under receiver operating characteristics, 0.81). CONCLUSION: A first-trimester screening combining maternal characteristics and UA Doppler parameters is useful to predict HD in a low-risk population.