Performance Of Screening For Pre-eclampsia Research Articles

Uterine artery Doppler at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks in the prediction of pre‐eclampsia

To determine the performance of screening for pre-eclampsia (PET) by maternal characteristics and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. In women with singleton pregnancies attending for routine care at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation we recorded maternal variables and measured the uterine artery PI. We identified 107 cases that subsequently developed PET and 5041 that were unaffected by PET, gestational hypertension or delivery of newborns with birth weight below the 10(th) centile. A multivariate Gaussian model was fitted to the distribution of log multiples of the median (MoM) PI in the PET and unaffected groups. Likelihood ratios for log MoM PI were computed and used together with maternal variables to produce patient-specific risks for each case. Predicted detection rates (DR) and false-positive rates (FPR) were calculated by taking the proportions with risks above a given risk threshold. In the unaffected group log MoM PI was influenced by maternal ethnic origin, body mass index, previous history of PET and fetal crown-rump length. In the prediction of PET significant contributions were provided by log MoM PI, ethnic origin, body mass index and previous and family history of PET. For an FPR of 10% the DRs of all PET and PET leading to delivery before 34 weeks' gestation by log MoM PI and maternal variables were 61.7% and 81.8%, respectively. Maternal variables together with uterine artery PI at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation provide sensitive prediction of the development of PET, especially of severe early-onset PET.

Prediction of Preeclampsia or Intrauterine Growth Restriction by Second Trimester Serum Screening and Uterine Doppler Velocimetry

Objective: To assess the performance of screening for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction by combining second trimester maternal serum screening and uterine Doppler ultrasound. Methods: A cohort of 2,615 women underwent both maternal serum screening (using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and α-fetoprotein (AFP)), and second trimester uterine artery Doppler. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of different combinations of both tests were compared. Results: The mean values for hCG and AFP were significantly higher in women with subsequent preeclampsia (p < 0.0003 and p < 0.03, respectively). Taking into account obstetrical history, hCG and AFP levels, notching on uterine artery Doppler and parity, the adjusted odds ratios were significantly higher for a high level of hCG for preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension. AFP level >1.5 MoM (multiples of the median) was significantly correlated with subsequent IUGR. The presence of a uterine notch was associated with a significantly higher risk of both preeclampsia and IUGR. The combination of an elevated serum level and the presence of a uterine notch had a positive predictive value (PPV) for preeclampsia of 25 and 21% for hCG and AFP, respectively. The combination of a bilateral notch with a low level of hCG or a high level of AFP had a PPV for IUGR of 50 and 43%, respectively. The sensitivity of the different tests ranged from 2 to 40%. Conclusion: The combination of serum markers and abnormal uterine Doppler ultrasound improves the identification of women at risk for subsequent pregnancy complications. These results should encourage care providers to perform a uterine Doppler ultrasound when serum markers are abnormal. However, the sensitivity of these tests is too low to provide an efficient generalized screening.