Transvaginal Doppler of uteroplacental circulation in early prediction of pre-eclampsia by observing bilateral uterine artery notch and resistance index at 12-16 weeks of gestation

Objectives: To study the role of bilateral uterine artery (UA) diastolic notch and resistance index at 12-16 weeks of gestation for early prediction of pre-eclampsia using transvaginal color Doppler imaging. Methods: Hundred antenatal women with singleton pregnancy at 12-16 weeks of gestation were considered for the study. Transvaginal Doppler study of uterine circulation was performed, diastolic notch and various velocimetry indices were noted and compared for significant, difference between normal and abnormal outcome group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for diastolic notch and notch with resistance index (RI) Results: Pre-eclampsia developed in 31.42% of the women with bilateral (UA) diastolic notch at 12-16 weeks. Detection rate increased upto 56% when RI >= 0.65 was also included in abnormal uterine artery waveform. Specificity increased from 66.4% to 84.7% and sensitivity from 68.75 to 87.5%. Conclusions: Uterine artery Doppler study between 12-16 weeks is a good screening method for identification of women at high risk of developing complication related to utero-placental insufficiency.