ROLE OF DOPPLER ULTRASOUND AT 13 WEEKS GESTATION IN PREDICTION OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the role of Doppler ultrasound (USG) at 13-week gestation in the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) and to assess the mean pulsatility index (PI) in uterine arteries at 13-week Doppler ultrasonography for the early prediction of PE. Methods: This was a observational prospective cohort study in which all the pregnant females at 12–14 weeks gestation were subjected to Doppler waveform analysis on color Doppler USG machines. Obstetric parameters of fetal biometry, mean PI (using the TVS method), and percentiles were calculated using fetal medicine foundation proforma. Reports were categorized as high risk or low risk for the development of PE. Routine USG follow-up scanning was done at 18–20 weeks (Anomaly scan) 24–28 weeks (Growth scan) and 34–36 weeks (Doppler scan) for the development of PE and intrauterine growth restriction. Development or absence of PE was noted. Results: Four hundred antenatal patients were included in the study. The maximum number of patients was in the age group 21–30 years (75.50%). No significant difference in the occurrence of PE in different age groups was found in our study. The incidence of PE was 3.33% (1 out of 30) in patients who developed PE at a later stage. Similar incidence of hypertension was 10% (three out of 30), smoking, and diabetes in 2 and 3 each. The mean uterine artery PI level at 12–14 weeks was 3.11±0.12 in patients who developed PE. In our study, 24 (80%) high-risk (>1:150) and 10 (33.33%) low-risk (≤1:150) patients developed PE. Out of 30, 4 (13.33%) had Apgar 0–3, 6 (20%) had Apgar 4–6, and 20 (66.67%) had Apgar 7–10 in patients who developed PE. Conclusion: High mean uterine artery PI between 12 and 14 weeks gestation is a good predictor of PE and can be used as an effective screening tool. Diastolic notch in the uterine artery and combination of uterine artery Doppler parameters is better in the prediction of PE.