Placental Volume, Uterine Artery and Aortic Isthmus Doppler Indices as A Predictor of Fetal Growth Restriction

Objectives: To identify the accuracy of ultrasonic measurement of volume of the placenta, Doppler indices of uterine artery, and Aortic isthmus (AoI) as a predictor for the occurrence of Fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to compare the changes of the volume of the placenta, uterine artery, and Doppler indices of AOI with the severity of fetal growth restriction and perinatal outcome.Methods: This prospective observational cohort included 100 singleton pregnant women aged between 18-38 years, gestational age 18-28 weeks, pregnant women with risk factors for occurrence of FGR, and singleton living fetus.Results: Placental volume cannot be used as predictor for the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at 18 and 28 w at cut off =174.9, 177.3 showed 87.1 and 87.1% sensitivity and 46.38 and 82.61% specificity respectively. At 28 weeks gestation, uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) can be used as predictor for the occurrence of IUGR at cut-off 0.9 with 70.97% sensitivity, 52.17% specificity. At 28 w gestation, the diagnostic accuracy tests for AOI PI were vailed as predictor for the occurrence of IUGR at cut-off 0.86, 74.19% sensitivity, 60.87% specificity.Conclusions: Alternation of AOI Doppler indices was not valid predictor for the occurrence of IUGR at 18w but there was a correlation among the risk of perinatal morbidity and AOI Doppler changes. Fetal Doppler indices was more precise in late second trimester than in early second trimester pregnancies as a predictor of intrauterine FGR.