Uterine Artery Doppler Parameters: An Excellent Tool for Assessing Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the utility of uterine artery Doppler parameters in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women, thereby enhancing the safety of pregnancy.

This study utilized a prospective observational design. A total of 142 pregnant women who underwent prenatal ultrasonography at our hospital and Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Maternity Hospital affiliated with Jiangnan University) from May 2022 to May 2023 were included. Uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography was performed between 11-22 weeks of gestation, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were determined. Patients were followed until delivery, and outcomes were categorized into safety and risk groups. Differences in resistance index and pulsatility index between the groups were analyzed, along with their impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Among the participants, 34 experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk group exhibited a higher resistance index and pulsatility index compared to the safety group (P < .05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the resistance index had a sensitivity of 64.71% and specificity of 93.52% for adverse pregnancy outcomes (P < .05), while the sensitivity and specificity of the pulsatility index were 67.65% and 78.70%, respectively (P < .05). Within the subset of women with adverse outcomes, those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and/or gestational diabetes mellitus displayed the highest resistance index and pulsatility index (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis identified the resistance index and pulsatility index as independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes (P < .05).

Uterine artery Doppler parameters demonstrate excellent predictive value for adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. This underscores their potential in enhancing prenatal care and pregnancy management strategies.