ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Because of its high prevalence in the female population and its high incidence in reproductive age, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can complicate pregnancy causing miscarriage, fetal death, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (up to 25%) and preterm birth. Doppler ultrasonography measures the flow in the uterine arteries, which is reduced in patients with preeclampsia and FGR, and thus is an ideal method for identifying pregnant women with a high risk of developing an adverse perinatal outcome. OBJECTIVE: Identify if Doppler ultrasound predicts FGR in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In this observational, transversal, prospective study carried out from June 1st, 2010 to November 30th, 2010, in patients who had already been diagnosed with SLE, a complete clinical history was registered, blood samples taken and Doppler of uterine arteries between 18 and 23 gestation weeks taken (measuring the pulsatility index) RESULTS: Of the 17 women in the study, 6 patients had a PI equal or greater than 1.45 (35.29%), of whom in 5 cases (29.41%), the product had FGR. Therefore the sensitivity of this test is 100%, with a specificity of 91%, a predictive positive value of 83% and a predictive negative value of 100%. With a p of 0.0010, which is considered extremely significant, and a confidence interval of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a high association between an abnormal PI and the development of FGR. Abnormal Doppler ultrasound of uterine arteries is useful for predicting FGR in pregnant women with SLE.
