Evaluation of first trimester pregnancy in cases of threatened abortion by means of doppler sonography.

OBJECTIVE

Threatened abortion is one of the major problems in Obstetrics and applies to (1/3) of all pregnancies. The aim of this study was to establish normal ranges for Doppler indices of the flow velocity waveforms in uterine arteries (S/D, RI, PI) and ss-hCG serum concentrations in a control group in the first trimester of pregnancy. The obtained values were compared with those obtained in pregnancies threatened by abortion (6 - 11 weeks).

METHODS

Investigated groups: 55 controls and 47 with symptoms of threatened abortion, 27 of them aborted. Ultrasound examinations were carried out by means of an endovaginal probe. Serum ss-hCG was determined by immunoenzymatic method. The standards for measured values were established based on means from measurements obtained in the control group in the corresponding week of pregnancy.

RESULTS

We observed negative correlation between gestational age and RI and negative tendencies for S/D and PI indices in the control group. Positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between ss-hCG serum concentration and gestational age (up to 9(th) week) and significant differences in ss-hCG concentrations between both examined groups. There were also statistical differences for S/D, RI and PI indices in both analyzed groups for each week of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that measurement of the quality parameters of the flow velocity waveforms in uterine arteries and calculation of beta-hCG concentration in serum are useful methods in diagnosis of threatened abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.