Serial Evaluation of Intra Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) Pregnancies by Colour Doppler and Correlation with Perinatal Outcome

Background: Intra uterine growth restriction refers to fetus with an estimated fetal weight below 10th percentile corrected for sex and ethnicity which has features of chronic hypoxia and/or malnutrition. However a consensus does not exist for definition of IUGR.) It is associated with adverse fetal outcomes including acidosis, still birth, oligohydramnios, low birth weight and adverse events during labor including fetal distress in labor. IUGR is often suspected by poor maternal weight gain and a fundal height that is less than expected for the gestational age and is an indication for the ultrasound at presentation. Aim of this study to prospectively evaluate all IUGR pregnancies by color Doppler. Methods: This non-interventional descriptive study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with collaboration of Department of Radio-diagnosis, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Laheriasarai, Bihar from March 2023 to February 2024. A total of 58 patients were selected for study which fulfill the inclusion criteria. Results: There were a significant number of preterm babies in our study group – 30 (51.7%). Thirty-five babies were admitted into neonatal intensive care unit for treatment – 6 babies died. Of the remaining, 15 required admission for more than 10 days for various complications. Two babies could not be admitted to NICU because of poor parental resources. Of that one baby died. Neonatal complications developed. Conclusion: Doppler studies of multiple vessels in the fetoplacental circulation can help in the monitoring of compromised fetus and can help us predicting neonatal morbidity. This may be helpful in determining the optimal time of delivery in complicated pregnancies.