A study of role of Doppler ultrasound in Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and perinatal outcome

Background: The main purpose of providing antenatal care is to identify women at risk of complications as a result of impaired uteroplacental circulation such as Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and Preclampsia. Aim: To describe practical application of doppler ultrasound in obstetrics with analysis of blood flow velocity waveform in PIH and to examine perinatal outcome in pregnancies with altered Doppler indices. Material and Method: This is a prospective study of 41 pregnant women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) evaluated sonographically with colour Doppler and to be followed subsequently for any adverse perinatal outcome. Result: Out of 41 cases 73.1% of cases were found in 20-29 yrs age group. 26 cases had abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices accounting for 63.46%, while 15 cases had a normal Doppler indices accounting for 36.53%. Out of 41 cases, 25 cases had abnormal Middle cerebral artery. In our study 14 cases had abnormal umbilical artery Doppler indices accounting for 34.2%, while 27 cases had a normal Doppler indices accounting for 65.8%., out of 41 cases in our study 6 cases had Reversal of a wave in Ductus Venosus waveform that is in 14.6%. In this study total 5 cases (35.7%) of perinatal mortality were seen. Conclusion: The knowledge of uterine and umbilical artery waveform may help to improve pregnancy management and any permit identification and assessment of pregnancy induced hypertension at earliest gestation age as compared to other antepartum test modalities.