The Role of Uterine Artery Doppler Ultrasound in the Second Trimester in Predicting Preeclampsia

Background Preeclampsia is a specific pregnancy syndrome. Early diagnosis and proper administration of preeclampsia can lead to improved maternal and neonatal outcome. We aimed to investigate the uterine artery Doppler ultrasound in predicting the preeclampsia in women with a high-risk pregnancy. Materials and Methods This analytic study was conducted on 160 primigravida women with gestational age of 18 to 26 weeks referring to Ali-IEbne Abi Taleb hospital of Zahedan (Iran). The uterine artery Doppler was considered as abnormal if mean Pulsatility Index (PI) was higher as 95% for gestational age or bilateral notching was observed. All uterine artery sonography was performed by one expert sonographer and with one machine. Then the pregnancy outcomes (such as placenta abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, death, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, low birth weight, preterm labor, etc.) were compared between the two groups. Results The mean age of pregnant women was 25.4±5.6 years old. Preeclampsia was seen in 37 (24.7%) of the women and healthy was seen in 113 (75.3%) of the women. A statistically significant difference was seen between the women with normal and abnormal Doppler sonography (P=0.001). The sensitivity of Doppler ultrasonography in predicting early onset, late onset and severe preeclampsia was 73.3 %, 62.5 %, and 100%, respectively. The specificity of Doppler ultrasonography in predicting early onset, late-onset, and severe preeclampsia was 64.4%, 66.1%, and 74.3%, respectively. Conclusion The findings of the study showed that uterine artery Doppler (Pulsatility Index) is useful in predicting the occurrence of preeclampsia in second trimester.