Does abnormal ductus venosus pulsatility index at the first-trimester effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes?

The ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (DV PIV) has become a popular marker of the first-trimester scan. The aim of this study is to search for any difference between groups with normal and abnormal DV PIV values in terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

We retrospectively evaluated 556 women whose first-trimester scan was performed. The ductus venosus pulsatility indices were examined at singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation. Patients were categorized as Group-I with normal DV PIV (DV PIV ≥ 0.73, ≤1.22) and as Group-II with abnormal DV PIV. Group-II was subgrouped as Group-IIA which composed of patients with DV PIV < 0.73 and as Group-IIB with DV PIV > 1.22.

There were 451 subjects in Group-I and 105 subjects in Group-II (Group-IIA = 32 and Group-IIB = 73). The comparisons between major groups revealed a statistically significant increase about miscarriage (p = 0.002), stillbirth (p < 0.001), small for gestational age (p = 0.033), low birth weight (p < 0.001), fetal growth restriction (p = 0.048), and major congenital heart defect (p=<0.001) in Group-II. This difference is mainly due to Group-IIB. There is no difference in preterm delivery, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes between Group I and II.

Routinely monitoring DIV PIV as a first-trimester screening should provide valuable information regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, small for gestational age, low birth weight, fetal growth restriction and major congenital heart defect.