Effect of Maternal Body Mass Index on Umbilical Artery Doppler Changes in Pregnancies with Fetal Growth Restriction

BACKGROUND: FGR (fetal growth restriction) represents a condition where a fetus fails to reach its expected growth potential during pregnancy. FGR is defined as EFW or Abdominal Circumference <10th percentile for gestational age (1). Increased maternal BMI is linked to abnormalities in umbilical artery Doppler indices, including pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and systolic/diastolic ratios (2). The complex relationships between maternal BMI, umbilical artery Doppler findings, and pregnancy outcomes is an intriguing area for investigation. This study is aimed at understanding the association between umbilical artery Doppler changes in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction with maternal BMI and fetal outcomes. AIM: To study the effect of maternal body mass index on umbilical artery doppler changes in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction and fetal outcomes. METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study, conducted over 18 months, includes about 50 antenatal women of gestational age 28-36 weeks with FGR attending the OPD in Gandhi Hospital. The BMI of the participants was noted at the booking visit in the first trimester. They are followed up with 1-2 weekly umbilical artery doppler until delivery. Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings and delivery outcomes were compared across normal and elevated BMI categories. RESULTS: In this study, women with elevated BMI had abnormal umbilical artery Doppler parameters. Lower birthweights and higher rates of C-sections were associated with higher maternal BMI. CONCLUSION: Increasing maternal BMI shows a positive correlation with abnormal UA Doppler findings in FGR. An additional risk factor for FGR may be an elevated maternal BMI and umbilical artery Doppler might be a good indicator to predict pregnancy outcomes. Key words: FGR, doppler, BMI