Comparison of Mean Uterine Artery PI between Women at High Risk for both Preeclampsia & Fetal Growth Restriction & those at High Risk for either Condition Alone

Authors

  • Rachna Chaurasia Professor & Academic Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College & Hospital, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Author
  • Divya Jain Associate Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College & Hospital, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Author
  • Shivam Chauhan Junior Resident, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College & Hospital, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71393/97e60295

Keywords:

Doppler ultrasonography; Placental insufficiency; First-trimester screening; Pregnancy complications; Impedance; Risk stratification

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including defective deep placentation, impaired spiral artery remodeling, and increased uteroplacental vascular impedance. Whether their coexistence produces a distinct first-trimester maternal haemodynamic signature remains uncertain.

Aim & Objective: To compare first-trimester mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) among women at high risk for PE alone, FGR alone, and both conditions combined.

Materials & Methods: This prospective observational comparative study included 150 singleton pregnancies at 11–13⁺⁶ weeks. Women were stratified using the Fetal Medicine Foundation risk cut-off of 1:150 into three equal groups of 50 (33.3%) each: PE risk, FGR risk, and combined PE+FGR risk. Transabdominal Doppler assessment was performed to derive the mean PI from both uterine arteries. Groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc testing and the chi-square test.

Results: Mean uterine artery PI was highest in the combined-risk group (2.81 ± 0.16), followed by the PE-only (2.34 ± 0.09) and FGR-only (2.04 ± 0.10) groups [F(2,147) = 517.05, p < 0.001], with all pairwise differences statistically significant. PE developed in 32 (64.0%) women with combined risk versus 26 (52.0%) with PE risk alone, while FGR occurred in 35 (70.0%) versus 22 (44.0%), respectively.

Conclusions: First-trimester mean uterine artery PI increased progressively with overlapping placental risk, with the highest impedance observed when PE and FGR risks coexisted. These findings support uterine artery Doppler as a potential tool for early risk stratification of adverse placental outcomes.

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Published

2026-10-02

Issue

Vol. 41 (2026): Issue 2

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Comparison of Mean Uterine Artery PI between Women at High Risk for both Preeclampsia & Fetal Growth Restriction & those at High Risk for either Condition Alone. (2026). Journal of Recent Advances in Applied Sciences (pISSN 0970-1990), 41(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.71393/97e60295

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