Trimester uterine artery Doppler Velocimetry in prediction of preeclampsia

BACKGROUND: To study the utility of uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry in 2nd trimester in prediction of preeclampsia in high risk and low risk women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 women carrying <16weeks of pregnancy with singleton fetus and without any fetal anomaly were recruited and were divided in high-risk and low-risk group. Doppler velocimetry of uterine artery was done at 24-26 weeks. Any notch in uterine artery, unilateral or bilateral or RI>0.6 was considered abnormal. Women were followed up and development of preeclampsia noted. RESULT: In high risk group sensitivity and specificity of abnormal uterine artery Doppler study for prediction of preeclampsia were 73.33% and 86.48% and in low risk group were 57.14% and 95.83%, respectively. Relative risk with 95% confidence interval was 5.427(2.272-12.958) in high-risk and 13.65(5.669-32.865) in low-risk women. CONCLUSIONDoppler velocimetry of uterine artery at 24weeks may be used as a reliable screening test for screening of preeclampsia in both high-risk and low-risk women.