Prediction of perinatal outcome with umbilical artery Doppler in IUGR fetuses- a prospective analytical study in a tertiary medical college in Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Background: Umbilical artery Doppler blood flow studies were a better predictor of neonatal outcome than estimated fetal weight alone in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. Perinatal mortality and morbidity are increased if the umbilical artery Doppler abnormality worsens.Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Thanjavur medical college from August 2015 to August 2016. One hundred singleton pregnancies complicated by IUGR beyond 32 weeks were subjected for Doppler study of umbilical artery. Perinatal outcome in terms of baby outcome, birth weight, early neonatal death, admission in NICU and duration of admission in NICU were analysed.Results: The main indication of termination of pregnancy was oligohydramnios (70%). The other causes of termination were 8% for uncontrolled hypertension and 4 % for post term. 60 % were delivered vaginally and 40% by lower segment cesarean section. Various indication for LSCS were Non-reactive CTG, fetal distress, severe oligohydramnios and failed induction. 92% were delivered alive babies and 8% still born babies. Birth weight of the babies varied from 900gm to 2.5Kg. But patients with absent or reversed end diastolic flow in umbilical artery Doppler, 80% of the babies weighed less than 1.5Kg. Perinatal mortality in our study is 19% which includes 8% of intrapartum mortality and 11% of neonatal mortality and perinatal morbidity is 24%. When the diastolic flow in the umbilical artery is, absent or reversed, it is associated with increased perinatal mortality of 80%.Conclusions: The results of present study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of umbilical artery Doppler in predicting the fetal outcome. To improve the predictive value of this tool, a better method is needed to assess the wellbeing of the IUGR fetuses such as integrated antenatal test which combines BPP and Doppler study employing other vessels.