The Prediction of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Intrauterine Growth Restriction using the Doppler Indices of Myocardial Performance and Aortic Isthmus

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR] represented a challenging health problem, faced during daily clinical practice. Early diagnosis is of crucial importance. Aim of the work: To determine the value of the aortic isthmic flow index and the left mod-myocardial performance index [MPI] in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses affected by IUGR. Patients and Methods: Forty Singleton fetuses with IUGR between 28 and 34 weeks were recruited. The left mod-MPI and the isthmic flow index [IFI] were calculated. Ultrasound indices had been correlated with perinatal outcome. Results: There was a statistically significant association between abnormal aortic isthmus diastolic flow and low 1-minute Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] admission. There was a statistically significant association between the left mod-MPI and the meconium stained amniotic fluid [AF], the need for Neonatal resuscitation, NICU admission, neonatal sepsis, and neonatal death. When considering cutoff value for prediction of adverse fetal outcome by Left MPI, a cutoff of 0.53 confers 85.2% sensitivity, 80% specificity, PPV 92%, NPV 66.7%, and accuracy of 83.8%. In addition, 85% of fetuses had normal Aortic isthmus [AoI] waveform [IFI type I] and 15% had abnormal AoI waveform, and there was a statistically significant association between abnormal AoI diastolic flow and each of [IFI of II, III, V], [low 1-minute Apgar score] and [NICU admission]. Conclusion: AoI IFI and left mod-MPI could be considered valuable for the assessment of chronic placental insufficiency, and play a role in prediction of adverse perinatal outcome associated with IUGR.‎