The impact of umbilical and uterine artery Doppler indices on antenatal course, labor and delivery in a low-risk primigravid population.
To evaluate the impact of umbilical and uterine artery Doppler in the second and third trimester on antenatal course, labor and delivery in a low-risk primigravid population.



Prospective recruitment of 1011 low-risk primigravidas with uterine and umbilical artery Doppler assessment at 22-24 weeks and 36 weeks. All mothers and infants were reviewed postnatally with a retrospective analysis of ultrasound and clinical outcome data.



Elevated uterine artery indices were associated with increased rates of threatened miscarriage, higher rates of pre-eclampsia (PET) and a higher incidence of fetal birth weight <2nd and 9th centile for gestation. Uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) >95th centile for gestation was associated with statistically higher rates of small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants. Elevated umbilical artery indices were associated with higher rates of induction of labor and a higher incidence of fetal birth weight infants <2nd and 9th centile for gestation. Umbilical artery PI >95th centile for gestation was associated with statistically higher rates of SGA infants.



Elevated uterine and umbilical artery indices are associated with higher rates of maternal and fetal disease.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland. smcooley@hotmail.com
Sharon M
SM
Cooley
Jennifer C
JC
Donnelly
Thomas
T
Walsh
Corrina
C
MacMahon
John
J
Gillan
Michael P
MP
Geary
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult