Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 64-73
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260308
Umbilical Artery Doppler and Perinatal Outcomes in High-Risk Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study
Maitri Patel1, Usha Agarwal2, Rohit Jain3
1Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382016, India.
2Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Narayana Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302033, India.
3Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382016, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rohit Jain
ABSTRACT
Background: High-risk pregnancies are associated with increased maternal and fetal complications due to medical, obstetric, or lifestyle factors. Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry assesses fetoplacental circulation and may help predict adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the utility of umbilical artery Doppler in high-risk pregnancies and its correlation with perinatal outcomes.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 90 high-risk pregnant women (26 weeks to term) at Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Jaipur. Umbilical artery Doppler indices (systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index, resistance index) were recorded. Women were followed until delivery. Perinatal outcomes including preterm delivery, low birth weight, APGAR score, NICU admission, and neonatal mortality were compared between normal and abnormal Doppler groups.
Results: Abnormal Doppler findings were observed in 44.4% of women (high resistance flow 38.9%, absent end-diastolic flow 3.3%, reversed end-diastolic flow 2.2%). Abnormal Doppler group showed significantly higher mean Doppler indices (p<0.001) and higher rates of preterm delivery (91.7% at 34–36 weeks), low birth weight (68.4%), low 5-minute APGAR score (87.5%), NICU admission (59.5%), respiratory distress syndrome (100%), birth asphyxia (82.4%), and neonatal mortality (100% of deaths) (p<0.05 for all). Abnormal Umbilical Artery Doppler had sensitivity 66.67%, specificity 84.62%, and diagnostic accuracy 74.44% for predicting adverse perinatal outcome.
Conclusion: Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry is a valuable non-invasive tool for identifying fetal compromise in high-risk pregnancies. Abnormal findings strongly predict adverse perinatal outcomes, supporting routine use to guide timely obstetric intervention.
Keywords: Pregnancy, High Risk; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Umbilical arteries; Perinatal outcome; Placental insufficiency.