The value of ultrasound spectra of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery blood flow in adverse pregnancy outcomes

Xuan Zhao; Ya Shen

doi:10.1515/jpm-2024-0323

The value of ultrasound spectra of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery blood flow in adverse pregnancy outcomes

J Perinat Med. 2024 Nov 25. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2024-0323. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xuan Zhao¹, Ya Shen²

Affiliations

¹ Ultrasound Department of Women and Children, Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
² Gynecologic, Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

PMID: 39576612
DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2024-0323

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound spectra of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) blood flow in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Data from 202 late singleton pregnancies (32-34 weeks gestation) were analyzed. Group A included 155 normal pregnancies, while Group B comprised 47 high-risk pregnancies. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure and compare pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and end-systolic peak/end-diastolic peak (S/D) ratios of fetal MCA and UA between the groups.

Results: UA-related parameters (PI, RI, and S/D) were significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A, whereas MCA-related parameters (PI, RI, and S/D) were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A. In pregnancies with adverse outcomes, fetal UtA and UA-related parameters were elevated, while MCA parameters were decreased compared to those with favorable outcomes.

Conclusions: Ultrasound spectra of MCA and UA blood flow provide valuable clinical information for assessing fetal intrauterine growth and predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords: high-risk pregnancy; late pregnancy; middle cerebral artery; pregnancy outcomes; ultrasonic spectrum of blood flow; umbilical artery blood flow.