The value of the middle cerebral to umbilical artery doppler ratio in the prediction of neonatal outcome in patients with high risk pregnancy

Abstract

Background: To investigate the diagnostic value of MCA/UA pulsatility index ratio for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in patients with high risk pregnancy.Methods: We included in the study 170 patients recovered in our hospital with the diagnosis of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, twins, postdated, IUGR, BOH from June 2016 to May 2017. All the patients underwent accurate color Doppler velocimetry examination available in our hospital. Outcome variables were intrauterine and early neonatal death, admission to neonatal intensive care unit and the duration of treatment, APGAR score below 7 at 5 minutes, cesarean delivery for foetal distress, gestational age at delivery, neonatal birth weight, IUGR.Results: In 102 patients, we found abnormal values of CPI ratio. Neonates of mothers with abnormal CPI ratio had significantly lower gestational age at delivery, lower birth weight, significantly greater risk for perinatal death, significantly greater risk of admission to intensive care unit, longer duration of treatment in NICU, greater rate of cesarean delivery for foetal distress, increased number of fetuses IUGR.Conclusions: CPI ratio is a very good predictor of adverse outcome in the fetuses of women with pre-eclampsia and other high-risk pregnancy.