Fetal Middle Cerebral and Umbilical Arteries Doppler Velocimetry and Amniotic Fluid Volume in the Surveillance of Postterm Pregnancy

Objective: To evaluate the value of Doppler velocimetry of umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and amniotic fluid volume in the surveillance of post term pregnancies. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Kasr El-Aini Hospital. Materials and Methods: Forty pregnant ladies with a gestational age of more than 41 weeks were compared to 40 pregnant ladies with gestational age ranging from 37 to 40 weeks. Ultrasound and Doppler study to assess the following: Amniotic fluid volume (AFV), Gestational age determination, Fetal weight estimation., Middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA-PI), Umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI), Cerebro placental ratio (CPR). Results: There was negative (inverse) statistically significant correlation between MCA PI and UA PI while there was positive (proportional), correlation between MCA PI and CPR and AFI. On the other hand UAPI had powerful and moderate negative, statistically correlation with CPR and AFI respectively. CPR had positive, powerful, statistically significant correlation with AFI. Conclusion: Doppler velocimetry of umbilical and middle cerebral arteries is valuable in assessing the status of post term pregnancies.