[Improving obstetric diagnosis by combined ultrasound and Doppler study of risk pregnancies]

In a group of 311 high-risk pregnancies the result of the first ultrasound and Doppler sonographic examinations were retrospectively compared with the results of the pregnancies. The aim of the study was to determine the value of the methods--single and in combination--in respect of the major foetal risks. It can be shown that the already established ultrasound screening can be improved by simultaneous Doppler sonography, because the increase in sensitivity by the combined examination exceeds the decrease in specificity. In respect of all proven risks--malformation, growth retardation, prematurity and foetal mortality--a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 77.8% is attained by only one combined ultrasound/Doppler examination. Thus, the identification of a high-risk group (which needs intensive surveillance and therapy) can be improved in comparison to ultrasound examination alone.