TITLE:
Umbilical artery doppler flow patterns in high-risk pregnancy and foetal outcome in Mulago hospital
AUTHORS:
P. Komuhangi, R. K. Byanyima, E. Kiguli-Malwadde, C. Nakisige
KEYWORDS:
Doppler; Umbilical Artery
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.2 No.9,
December
20,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: To
demonstrate the flow patterns and factors associated with adverse foetal
outcome in high-risk pregnancy at Mulago Hospital using Doppler ultrasound of
the foetal umbilical artery. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting:
Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala Uganda.
Study Subjects: One hundred and ninety-two patients in a 4-month period
(December 2008-April 2009). Results: Maternal age was 16 to 41 years.
Twenty-one foetuses had abnormal flow patterns (12 had reduced end-diastolic
flow, 8 had AEDF and 1 had RF). Prematurity was associated with abnormal flow
patterns. 11 out of 12 foetuses with reduced end-diastolic flow survived. Of
the foetuses with AEDF, 3 survived but were admitted to the neonatal special
care unit while 5 died. One foetus had RF and was a stillbirth. Eighteen
foetuses were delivered after an obstetric intervention. Conclusions: 1) The
prevalence of abnormal flow patterns is 10.9%. 2) Abnormal flow patterns, low
biophysical profile score, premature delivery, low birth weight and low Apgar
score are related to adverse foetal outcome. 3) A low biophysical profile score
is related to AEDF/RF. 4) Foetuses of low parity mothers are more likely to
have abnormal flow patterns. Recommendation:
Umbilical artery Doppler Biophysical profile scores should be done in
high-risk pregnancy.