Study of fetal doppler velocimetry versus non stress test as predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in high risk pregnancies

Background: Pregnancy is a unique, physiologically normal event in a women’s life. Objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of the doppler velocimetry versus non stress test in relation to perinatal outcome in high risk pregnancies.Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Narayana Medical College and Hospital. 100 women with high risk pregnancy were recruited. All were examined systematically, and Doppler velocimetry and non-stress test were done.Results: All cases were divided into four groups based on NST and doppler velocimetry of umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery. 10% of women had abnormal doppler. Middle cerebral artery doppler abnormality was noted in 3% and CPR abnormality in 3% of women in the study group. 15% had abnormal NST. In Group A, out of 88 patients 9 had fetal compromise. In Group B, out of 5 patients all had fetal compromise. In Group C, out of 4 patients none had fetal compromise. In Group D, all 3 patients had fetal compromise. In Group D, all 3 had neonatal deaths. Average birth weights in Group A was 2.7 kg, in Group B was 2 kg, in Group C was 2.5 kg, in Group D was 1.4 kg. Two (2.2%) newborn in Group A, 4 (80%) newborns in Group B, 3 (100%) in Group had Apgar < 7 at 5 minutes. 4 (4.5%) babies in Group A, 5 (100%) babies in Group B, 3 (100%) babies in Group D were admitted in NICU. Umbilical artery doppler was found to have sensitivity 46.6%, specificity - 94%, PPV - 93%, NPV - 54%. Middle cerebral artery doppler was found to have sensitivity 73.3%, specificity - 90%, PPV - 91.6%, NPV- 69.3%.Conclusions: In present study, highest percentage of perinatal complications and perinatal deaths were seen in groups with abnormal tests of NST and velocimetry. Group D had the worst perinatal outcome

Potential screening strategies for early prediction of pre-eclampsia

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different biochemical and biophysical markers in the early weeks of gestation as screening tools for early prediction of preeclampsia.Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study conducted on 52 pregnant women, at less than 13 weeks of gestation were recruited. Maternal serum inhibin A and USG uterine artery PI levels were analyzed among the pregnant women who subsequently developed PE and compare with those who did not develop PE. Methods used for the detection of markers were: chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for serum inhibin A levels, and uterine artery Doppler velocimetry was done by PHILIPS HD11XE transabdominal ultrasound machine using a 4-6 MHz probe with the same sonographer.Results: The present study revealed a significant rise of inhibin A in preeclamptic women when compared to normotensive women (p<0.0001). The mean levels of 1st and 2nd trimester uterine artery PI significantly high in women who subsequently developed PE when compared to those who did not develop preeclampsia (p<0.0001). Study results showed a strong association between gestational age at delivery and neonatal outcome (neonatal birth weight and APGAR) with preeclampsia. The maternal serum inhibin A, and uterine artery PI found to have good sensitivity and specificity for early prediction of PE.Conclusions: Study concluded that the women who are prone to develop PE subsequently, had high levels of MAP, UAPI, inhibin A. In our setting, MAP, UAPI, inhibin A, appeared to be better screening modalities. Combination of the biochemical markers with the biophysical markers, demographic characteristics, and other novel markers will establish the effective screening models for early prediction of PE. Early identification of high-risk cases will offer an opportunity for prophylactic therapy, such as Low- dose Aspirin in selected groups of high-risk women screened in the first trimester, thus improving the maternal and perinatal outcome