Assessment of ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to investigate ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as possible predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study including unselected pregnant women be-tween 27 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. The following ultrasound and Doppler parameters were assessed: estimated fetal weight (EFW) [g], EFW percentile, placental maturity grade (Grannum classification), single vertical deepest pocket (SVDP) of amniotic fluid [cm], amniotic fluid index (AFI) [cm], mean uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI, middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) [cm/s], and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR). Adverse perinatal outcome was defined as Apgar score of < 7 at 1 min, birth weight of < 2500 g at delivery, and gestational age of < 37 weeks at delivery. The unpaired t test was used to compare the groups.


RESULTS
AFI (p = 0.01), mean UtA PI (p = 0.04) and mean UA PI (p = 0.03) were significantly different with regard to the Apgar score at 1 min. EFW, EFW percentile, SVDP of amniotic fluid, AFI, mean UtA PI, UA PI, and MCA PI were significantly different (p < 0.001) in terms of birth weight. Placental maturity grade (p = 0.02), SVDP of the amniotic fluid (p < 0.001), AFI (p < 0.001), mean UtA PI (p < 0.001), UA PI (p = 0.001), and MCA PI (p < 0.001) were significantly different as far as gestational age at delivery is concerned.


CONCLUSION
Ultrasound and Doppler parameters may predict adverse perinatal outcomes in unselected pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy.
['Peixoto|Alberto Borges|AB|', 'Rodrigues da Cunha Caldas|Taciana Mara|TM|', 'Godoy Silva|Tácito Augusto|TA|', 'Silva Gomes Caetano|Mário Sérgio|MS|', 'Martins|Wellington P|WP|', 'Martins Santana|Eduardo Felix|EF|', 'Araujo Júnior|Edward|E|']
D000328:Adult D001938:Brazil D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D005333:Fetus D005865:Gestational Age D006801:Humans D007231:Infant, Newborn D010920:Placenta D011247:Pregnancy D011256:Pregnancy Outcome D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis D015203:Reproducibility of Results D012189:Retrospective Studies D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal D014469:Umbilical Arteries D055988:Uterine Artery
ultrasound Doppler third trimester of pregnancy perinatal outcome unselected