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First-trimester uterine artery Doppler and spontaneous preterm delivery

  1. S. C. Soares,
  2. N. Fratelli,
  3. F. Prefumo,
  4. A. Bhide,
  5. B. Thilaganathan*

Article first published online: 11 JAN 2007

DOI: 10.1002/uog.3919

Issue

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Volume 29, Issue 2, pages 146–149, February 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Soares, S. C., Fratelli, N., Prefumo, F., Bhide, A. and Thilaganathan, B. (2007), First-trimester uterine artery Doppler and spontaneous preterm delivery. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 29: 146–149. doi: 10.1002/uog.3919

Author Information

  1. Fetal Medicine Unit, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK

*Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 JAN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 11 JAN 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 SEP 2006

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Keywords:

  • Doppler;
  • first trimester;
  • preterm delivery;
  • trophoblast invasion;
  • uterine artery

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the relationship between first-trimester uterine artery Doppler measurements and spontaneous preterm delivery.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of uterine artery Doppler findings at 11–14 weeks in 73 singleton pregnancies with spontaneous preterm labor and 2417 pregnancies delivered at term.

Results

The uterine artery mean resistance index (RI) was 0.68 (coefficient of variation 19%) and 0.69 (17%) in the preterm and term delivery groups, respectively (P = 0.35). The mean pulsatility index (PI) was 1.42 (39%) and 1.42 (46%) in the term and preterm delivery groups, respectively (P = 0.95). Bilateral diastolic notches were present in 34% of preterm deliveries and 33% of controls (P = 0.84). Restricting the analysis to the 19 pregnancies with preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, no significant difference from controls was observed for RI (mean 0.71, coefficient of variation 11%, P = 0.41), PI (mean 1.56, coefficient of variation 29%, P = 0.27) or the number of bilateral notches (42%, P = 0.41).

Conclusions

Despite pathological evidence suggesting that defective placentation is associated with spontaneous preterm delivery, first trimester uterine artery resistance, as assessed by Doppler ultrasound investigation, is not different in pregnancies subsequently complicated by preterm labor compared to pregnancies delivered at term. This finding may be explained by a late failure of trophoblast development in cases destined to deliver preterm. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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