ABSTRACT
Introduction Fetal growth restriction (FGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are significant and clinically relevant complications observed in many pregnancies. Early prediction of these complications may be possible through the assessment of the umbilical artery pulsatility index (UAPI). However, its utility in routine practice for otherwise normal pregnancy needs further exploration in India. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of incorporating UAPI for the timely use of low-dose aspirin in preventing FGR and PIH in a tertiary care hospital in the western part of India. Methodology A prospective study was conducted involving 64 low-risk (i.e., not having any feature of high-risk pregnancy) pregnant women selected from routine antenatal care outpatient departments over a period of two years. All women underwent uterine artery Doppler examination during the 11-13+6 weeks of pregnancy and those who had high UAPI received low-dose (150 mg) aspirin till the 35th week. The incidence of FGR and PIH was analyzed and compared between high UAPI and normal UAPI pregnancy. Results A total of 64 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.11±4 years participated in the study. Among the women, eight (12.5%) were found to have high UAPI and were put on aspirin. Among those eight women, two developed PIH. In the normal UAPI group, nine (16.07%) developed PIH (p-value = 0.62). FGR was found in one case among the eight who received aspirin and in eight cases among the 56 who had normal UAPI (p-value > 0.99). Conclusion The study concluded that despite having normal UAPI, women categorized as low-risk may develop PIH and FGR. Hence, the routine use of UAPI should be investigated in further cohort studies using a large sample to draw a generalizable conclusion for the Indian population.
