Prediction of fetal hypoxia by measuring umbilical artery Doppler

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia has an incidence of 3 per 1,000 live births. Many periconceptional, antepartum and intrapartum risk factors have been shown to be associated with perinatal asphyxia. Doppler examination has a key role in the detection of hypoxic risk. Aim: The objective of this study to prediction of fetal hypoxia by measuring umbilical arterial doppler. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Urguu Maternity hospital between January 2021 to January 2021. Gestational age ranged between 32-41 weeks of gestation. The study included 699 pregnancies. Patient age ranged from 18-45 years. The study was approved by the medical ethics review board and all patients gave informed consent. Doppler blood flow studies were performed using the apparatus of Hitachi Alok F37, equipped with a trans-dicer 3.5 MHz, with the option of pulse wave and color Doppler. Results: A total of 699 pregnancies, 209 (29.9%) were 18-25 years old, 358 (51.2%) were 25-35 years old, and 132 (18.9%) were over 35 years old. In terms of gestational age, mothers aged 32-36 weeks were 103 (14.7%) and mothers aged 37-42 weeks were 596 (85.3%). There were 349 male and 350 female fetuses. Umbilical artery Doppler showed significantly lower PI (1.06±0.33 vs.0.74±0.39, p=0.03) and RI (0.59±0.14 vs. 0.44±0.14, p=0.03), while that of the Middle cerebral artery showed mildly higher resistance indices (0.98±0.14 vs. 1.28±0.50, p=0.01 and 0.57±0.12 vs. 0.79±0.24, p=0.004, respectively). Apgar score was <7 at 1 minute in 15 (2.1%) while it was >7 at 1 minute in 684 (97.8%). We found significant differences in umbilical artery PI, RI between male and female fetuses. Female fetuses had significantly higher values for umbilical artery PI (range 2.0–4.1%), RI (range 1.5–3.0%). Conclusion: Umbilical artery RI and PI is good indicator in predicting fetal hypoxia, this method is inversely related to the Apgar score of one and five minutes. ü ö