Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries, as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome in preeclamptic patients

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the value of the cerebral umbilical ratio for identifying newborns with neonatal morbidity in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia.
Study design: A longitudinal and correlational study of 80 patients with severe preeclampsia (PA > 160/110, proteinuria 3 +) was performed by a Doppler study done by one operator within seven days before delivery. Resistance index of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) were used to calculate the cerebral umbilical ratio (CUR). CUR <1 was considered abnormal. These results were compared with adverse perinatal outcome.
Results: Maternal characteristics were: age 32, parity 1, primigravid 40%, prenatal care 90% gestational age at enrollment 35+ - 2.8 weeks. Abnormal perinatal results were present in the 17,5% of patients studied. The probability of detection IUGR is 60%, oligohydramnios 56% and abdominal section for fetal distress was 28%.
Conclusion: Abnormal cerebral-umbilical ratio identifies 50% or more of newborns with severe neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with severe preeclampsia.