Frequency of pre-eclampsia in patients with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at twenty two to twenty four weeks of gestation.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of pre-eclampsia among pregnant ladies with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 22- 24 weeks of gestation at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nishtar Medical University / Hospital Multan. Period:  All the women (n=160) with abnormal uterine artery from 01-07-2018 to 30-06-2019 were included. Material & Methods: The pulsatility index (PI) of uterine artery Doppler was taken by taking average of 3 consecutive waveforms to determine the abnormal uterine artery Doppler. These study cases were followed till delivery to document pre-eclampsia. Results: Of these 160 study cases, 89 (55.6 %) had gestational age up to 23 weeks while 71 (44.4 %) had gestational age more than 23 weeks having mean age of 25.44 ± 4.77 years. Of these 160 pregnant ladies with abnormal uterine artery Doppler, 72 (45.0 %) were resident of rural areas and 88 (55.0 %) were resident of urban areas and family history of pre-eclampsia was 42 (26.3%). Previous history of pre-eclampsia was noted in 41 (25.6%). Mean parity was 2.24 ± 1.06 and 113 (70.6%) had parity up to 3. Mean gravidity of our study cases was 3.87 ± 1.16 and 89 (55.6%) had gravidity up to 4. Obesity was present in 30 (18.8 %) having mean body mass index 25.23 ± 1.92 kg/m². Mean interpregnancy interval was 14.19 ± 6.82 months and 83 (51.9 %) had interpregnancy interval more than 1 year and pre-eclampsia was noted in 125 (78.1%). Conclusion: Very high frequency of pre-eclampsia was noted in our study in pregnant women presenting with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 22 – 24 weeks of gestation. Pre-eclampsia was significantly associated with age, family history of pre-eclampsia, previous history of pre-eclampsia and interpregnancy interval.