Utility of multivessel Doppler assessment for predicting adverse neonatal outcome in late-onset intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the change of Doppler measurements among late-onset intrauterine growth restriction and appropriate for gestational age fetuses and to estimate the neonatal adverse outcome in late-onset intrauterine growth restriction during longitudinal Doppler assessments.

METHODS

This study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital with 50 appropriate for gestational age and 50 late-onset intrauterine growth restriction fetuses. Late-onset intrauterine growth restriction was defined as the detection and diagnosis of growth restriction from the 32nd week of gestation. Doppler assessments were performed longitudinally for the uterine arteries, umbilical artery, and middle cerebral artery from 32 weeks of gestation until delivery. The cerebroplacental ratio was calculated for each analysis. Neonatal outcomes were recorded after delivery. Statistical analysis was performed, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Compared with appropriate for gestational age, umbilical artery pulsatility index and adverse neonatal outcomes were higher in late-onset intrauterine growth restriction (p<0.001, p<0.001), while term middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and term cerebroplacental ratio were lower (p=0.013, p<0.001). According to adverse neonatal outcomes in late-onset intrauterine growth restriction, term uterine arteries pulsatility index and pre-term umbilical artery pulsatility index were higher (p=0.002, p=0.013); middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and term cerebroplacental ratio were lower but without statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Umbilical artery pulsatility index, term middle cerebral artery pulsatility index, and cerebroplacental ratio are significantly different between appropriate for gestational age and late-onset intrauterine growth restriction fetuses; however, only increased uterine arteries pulsatility index on term Doppler scans may be useful in detecting adverse neonatal outcomes in late-onset intrauterine growth restriction.