Objectives: To study pregnancy outcomes in growth restricted fetuses with normal umbilical artery velocimetry, low end-diastolic umbilical flow, and absent or reversed diastolic flow. Methods: Fifty pregnant women with growth restricted fetuses were evaluated by umbilical artery velocimetry between 28 and 39 weeks of pregnancy. Outcome of pregnancy was recorded for the normal Doppler group (n=17; 34%), the low end diastolic flow group (n=23; 46%), the group with absent diastolic flow (n=8; 16%) and the group with reversed diastolic flow (n=2; 4%). Results: The average birth weight, diagnosis to delivery interval and gestational age at delivery were comparatively lower in case of abnormal umbilical Doppler velocimetry group. Again there was higher incidence of LSCS for fetal distress, Apgar score <7 at 1 minute, admission to neonatal intensive care unit and perinatal death with those of the abnormal umbilical Doppler velocimetry. Conclusion: Doppler study of umbilical artery allows a noninvasive assessment of uteroplacental insufficiency and is an accurate method for diagnosis and management of fetal growth retardation.

Objectives: To evaluate the umbilical arterial blood flow velocity and its various indices during 3rd trimester of pregnancy and to compare these indices in normal and growth restricted pregnancies. Methods: In this study, 50 women with normal singleton pregnancy and 50 women with intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancy with expected birth weight <10th percentile of the normal for the gestational age were studied by Doppler evaluation of their umbilical artery, Pulsality Index (PI), Resistance Index (RI) and S/D ratio of the control group and IUGR group were calculated and reference range constructed. Values of Doppler indices of IUGR group were compared with those of the control group. Perinatal outcome was evaluated in relation to the indices. Results: Doppler velocimetry of umbilical artery showed elevated indices in 33 out of 50 cases of IUGR group showing its high sensitivity in diagnosing haemodynamically compromised growth restricted fetuses. Absent end diastolic velocily (AEDV) and reversed end diastolic velocily (REDV), were seen in 8 and 2 cases respectively and were associated with poor perinatal out come in terms of need for LSCS for fetal distress, Apgar score <7 at 1 minute, admission to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and perinatal death. Conclusion: In normal pregnancy there is gestational age related fall in impedance in Umbilical arteries. Doppler study of umbilical artery is highly sensitive in the detection of IUGR and for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in small for gestational age. Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2020; Vol. 35(2): 68-73