title: Maternal body mass index influences umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in physiologic pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to assess whether there is a relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in physiologic pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy pregnancy women, referred to our center at or before 32 weeks of gestation, were recruited. According to BMI, they were divided into underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) and obese women (BMI ≥ 30). At 32(+0)  weeks of gestation, maternal BMI and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry were recorded. A correlation between pulsatility index of umbilical artery and BMI was assessed by one-way ANOVA test, multiple comparison test (Bonferroni correction) and polynomial regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-five women were included. Mean pulsatility index of umbilical artery at 32(+0) was significantly higher in obese women (0.95 ± 0.01 vs 0.87 ± 0.01 vs 0.67 ± 0.01; p < 0.05). We found a positive correlation between Pulsatility Index of Umbilical Artery and maternal BMI (r(2)  = 0.7; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a positive correlation between BMI and pulsatility index of umbilical artery. These findings suggest that obesity has a negative effect on feto-placetal vessels. If our data will be confirmed, maternal BMI should be considered in evaluation of umbilical Doppler velocimetry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarno
authors.forename: Giuseppe Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Maruotti
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saccone
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morlando
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirico
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult