First trimester uterine artery Doppler abnormalities predict subsequent intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between uterine artery Doppler velocimetry performed between 10 and 14 weeks gestation and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

STUDY

DESIGN

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry data were collected on 1067 women enrolled in the FASTER trial at the University of Colorado site. The data were analyzed by using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The uterine artery mean resistance index (RI) for the entire cohort was equal on the right and left sides (0.59 +/- 0.14). Of the 1067 women, 34.2% had unilateral or bilateral diastolic notches, 1 notch was observed in 23.8%, and bilateral notches in 10.4%. Women with a high uterine artery mean RI (> or = 75th percentile) were 5.5 times more likely to have IUGR (95% CI 1.6-18.7). There was no significant relationship between notching and IUGR.

CONCLUSION

Elevated first trimester uterine artery mean RI is significantly associated with IUGR.