title: The role of doppler ultrasound in high risk pregnancy: A comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective was to determine the effectiveness of Doppler velocimetry results in the management of high-risk pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cohort study was conducted from January 2005 to December 2006 in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Alnoor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 high-risk pregnant women with gestational age >28 weeks were selected for the study and divided into group A (100) subjected to Doppler velocimetry and group B (100) without Doppler velocimetry. Standard management protocols were followed in all cases. The primary outcome measures were mode of delivery and gestational age at the time of delivery. The secondary outcome measures were prenatal and neonatal complications. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preterm deliveries, preterm as well as full-term neonatal admissions were more frequent in group A than those in group B, i.e., (39% vs. 26%), (56% vs. 88%) (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.04-0.7), and (30% vs. 57%) (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7), respectively. Similarly preterm and full-term neonatal deaths were rare in group A than those in group B, i.e., (9% vs. 78%) (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02-0.7), and (6% vs. 29%) (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.03-1.8), respectively. Emergency caesarean section rate was rare in the subjects with normal Doppler than those with abnormal Doppler (48% vs. 100%) (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.03-0.4) as well as in group B (48% vs. 82%) (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Doppler studies in high-risk pregnancies are more beneficial in the management of perinatal as well as neonatal management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hera General Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Messawa
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ma'ajeni
authors.forename: Maazin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Daghistani
authors.forename: Aqueela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayaz
authors.forename: Mian Usman
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Farooq
keywords: Caesarean section; color Doppler ultrasonography; pregnancy outcome; prematurity