title: Assessment of ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as possible predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.
  
  
  
  We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study including unselected pregnant women be-tween 27 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. The following ultrasound and Doppler parameters were assessed: estimated fetal weight (EFW) [g], EFW percentile, placental maturity grade (Grannum classification), single vertical deepest pocket (SVDP) of amniotic fluid [cm], amniotic fluid index (AFI) [cm], mean uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI, middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) [cm/s], and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR). Adverse perinatal outcome was defined as Apgar score of < 7 at 1 min, birth weight of < 2500 g at delivery, and gestational age of < 37 weeks at delivery. The unpaired t test was used to compare the groups.
  
  
  
  AFI (p = 0.01), mean UtA PI (p = 0.04) and mean UA PI (p = 0.03) were significantly different with regard to the Apgar score at 1 min. EFW, EFW percentile, SVDP of amniotic fluid, AFI, mean UtA PI, UA PI, and MCA PI were significantly different (p < 0.001) in terms of birth weight. Placental maturity grade (p = 0.02), SVDP of the amniotic fluid (p < 0.001), AFI (p < 0.001), mean UtA PI (p < 0.001), UA PI (p = 0.001), and MCA PI (p < 0.001) were significantly different as far as gestational age at delivery is concerned.
  
  
  
  Ultrasound and Doppler parameters may predict adverse perinatal outcomes in unselected pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy.
authors: Mario Palmério University Hospital - University of Uberaba, MG, Brazil. borges_@op.pl.
authors: Alberto Borges
authors: AB
authors: Peixoto
authors: Taciana Mara
authors: TM
authors: Rodrigues da Cunha Caldas
authors: Tácito Augusto
authors: TA
authors: Godoy Silva
authors: Mário Sérgio
authors: MS
authors: Silva Gomes Caetano
authors: Wellington P
authors: WP
authors: Martins
authors: Eduardo Felix
authors: EF
authors: Martins Santana
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Araujo Júnior
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Doppler; perinatal outcome; third trimester of pregnancy; ultrasound; unselected