Reference ranges for the uterine arteries Doppler and cervical length measurement at 11-13(+6) weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population.
OBJECTIVE
To establish references ranges for the uterine arteries (UtA) Doppler and cervical length (CL) measurements at 11-13(+6) weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study with singleton low-risk pregnant women who underwent first trimester ultrasound exams of fetuses with crown-rump length (CRL) ranging from 45 to 84 mm. The mean UtA Doppler and CL measurements were performed by transvaginal route. The mean pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries was obtained with color Doppler at the level of cervico-corporeal junction. The CL was obtained in a sagittal view using the cervical gland area as landmark. We determined mean ± standard deviation (SD), ranges for mean PI of UtA and CL in each gestational age. Polynomial regression was performed to establish reference values.


RESULTS
We have assessed 598 first-trimester pregnancies: the CL measurement was obtained from 497, while the mean PI UtA Doppler was available in 450 pregnant women. The mean CL ranged from 33.41 to 35.58 mm while the PI UtA Doppler ranged from 1.89 to 1.45. The best fit curves were: CL = 30.790 + 0.057 × CRL and UtA PI = 2.411-0.011 × CRL.


CONCLUSIONS
References ranges for the mean UtA PI Doppler and CL measurement at 11-13(+6) weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population were established.
a Mário Palmério Universitary Hospital - University of Uberaba (UNIUBE) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .|b Radiologic Clinic of Uberaba (CRU) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .
Alberto Borges
AB
Peixoto
a Mário Palmério Universitary Hospital - University of Uberaba (UNIUBE) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .|b Radiologic Clinic of Uberaba (CRU) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .
Taciana Mara Rodrigues da Cunha
TM
Caldas
b Radiologic Clinic of Uberaba (CRU) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .
Julio José Alvarenga
JJ
Barros
c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guastalla Civil Hospital , Reggio Emilia , Italy .
Gabriele
G
Tonni
b Radiologic Clinic of Uberaba (CRU) , Uberaba-MG , Brazil .
Anna Bárbara Ribeiro
AB
Lima
d Department of Maternal and Child Health , School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará (UFC) , Fortaleza-CE , Brazil .
Francisco Herlânio Costa
FH
Carvalho
e Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto-SP , Brazil , and.
Wellington P
WP
Martins
f Department of Obstetrics , Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP) , São Paulo-SP , Brazil.
Edward
E
Araujo Júnior
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D054791:Cervical Length Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
Cervical length; first trimester; reference ranges; uterine Doppler artery