The Effect of Maternal Age and Fetal Gender on the Value of Resistive Indices of Umbilical Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery

Background and Aim: Obstetrics now tracks foetuses using uteroplacental, umbilical, and foetal vascular doppler. The perinatal outcomes can be shown by the foetal Doppler waveform. Umbilical and foetal vascular Doppler ultrasound has been shown to quantify foetal well-being, IUGR, anaemia, and perinatal outcomes. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of mother age and fetal gender on the value of resistive indices of umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 pregnant women at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Pediatrics and Gynecology from September 2023 to January 2024. Data were collected using a questionnaire including age, newborn gender, placenta location, umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery resistance index. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 25) and statistical tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Mean maternal age was 26 ± 6 years and 56.3% of mothers were in the age range of 21-30 years. Also, 54.7% of babies were male and 45.3% were female. Placental sites were anterior in 49.2% and posterior in 43.8% of mothers. The mean MCA of female newborns was significantly higher than male neonates, while GA and UA were similar in both genders. No significant placental site difference was found in GA, MCA, or UA. Moreover, increased GA reduced UA and MCA, indicating a negative association. UA increased MCA and there was a strong positive association.Conclusion: This study reveals gender-based differences in MCA values and correlations in foetal measurements, indicating that gestational age and fetal gender influence development, while maternal age and placental position do not.