Third Trimester Doppler Ultrasound for Predicting Adverse Outcomes in High-Risk Pregnancies

Abstract

Doppler ultrasound is essential for assessing placental and fetal blood circulation, predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, and identifying at-risk fetuses. This study focused on high-risk pregnancies in the third trimester, regardless of maternal age or parity, analyzing umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery Doppler parameters (PI, RI, S/D Ratio). Among the cases studied, intrauterine growth retardation occurred in 62.5% of neonates with abnormal Doppler findings, compared to only 2.1% in those with normal results. Additionally, neonates from high risk pregnancies with abnormal Doppler scans had significantly lower Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes, underscoring the predictive value of Doppler ultrasound in forecasting neonatal outcomes. Overall, this study highlights the importance of Doppler ultrasound in managing high-risk pregnancies and improving neonatal health predictions.