OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of using gestational age-specific reference levels of the cerebroplacental Doppler ratio (CPR) with categorical threshold in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases of intrauterine growth restriction over a 3-year period was conducted. The umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were converted to CPRs. The efficacy of using gestational age-specific reference levels of CPRs in predicting adverse outcomes was compared with the use of a CPR of less than 1.08. Adverse perinatal outcomes evaluated included cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tones, umbilical artery pH less than 7.0, 5-minute Apgar scores less than 7.0, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, periventricular leukomalacia, respiratory distress syndrome, and perinatal death. RESULTS: Of 183 pregnancies meeting our inclusion criteria, there were 70 with at least 1 adverse outcome. With the use of a CPR ratio below the 5th percentile for gestational age, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting an adverse outcome were 65%, 73%, 73%, and 65%, respectively, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 5.2 (1.4-19.4; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69). With a CPR threshold of less than 1.08, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 72%, 62%, 68%, and 67%, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 4.2 (1.2-15.3; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal CPR is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted fetuses. The accuracy of using gestational age-specific reference levels was similar to that of using a categorical threshold.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of using gestational age-specific reference levels of the cerebroplacental Doppler ratio (CPR) with categorical threshold in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases of intrauterine growth restriction over a 3-year period was conducted. The umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were converted to CPRs. The efficacy of using gestational age-specific reference levels of CPRs in predicting adverse outcomes was compared with the use of a CPR of less than 1.08. Adverse perinatal outcomes evaluated included cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tones, umbilical artery pH less than 7.0, 5-minute Apgar scores less than 7.0, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, periventricular leukomalacia, respiratory distress syndrome, and perinatal death. RESULTS: Of 183 pregnancies meeting our inclusion criteria, there were 70 with at least 1 adverse outcome. With the use of a CPR ratio below the 5th percentile for gestational age, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting an adverse outcome were 65%, 73%, 73%, and 65%, respectively, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 5.2 (1.4-19.4; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69). With a CPR threshold of less than 1.08, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 72%, 62%, 68%, and 67%, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 4.2 (1.2-15.3; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal CPR is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted fetuses. The accuracy of using gestational age-specific reference levels was similar to that of using a categorical threshold.
Authors: Anthony O Odibo; Katherine R Goetzinger; Alison G Cahill; Linda Odibo; George A Macones Journal: Am J Perinatol Date: 2013-04-01 Impact factor: 1.862