DOPPLER SCAN ROLE IN PREDICTING PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Background: The purpose of the study is to analyze the pregnancy induced hypertension identified by Doppler ultrasound during second trimester of pregnancy.PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) can cause maternal and fetal health issues.

Methodology: Total of 54 pregnant women were selected who were in their second trimester and were referred for trans abdominal ultrasound in the Department of Radiology in Lahore General Hospital .Pregnant women were scanned to identify absence or presence of Uterine artery Diastolic notch at  12^th  to 24^th  weeks of pregnancy. Follow ups of scans were maintained till 28^th weeks of pregnancy. The diastolic notch early presence is a positive indicator for the development of preeclampsia.

Results: The patient’s age group was from 18 years to 40 years and the mean age was 26 ±6 years and the gestational age mean was 17 ±2 weeks. The sensitivity of the Doppler ultrasonography was 94% and the specificity was 89%. The diagnosis accuracy of the Doppler ultrasound is 91%

Conclusion: From the study results it can be concluded that Doppler ultrasound results in second trimester helps in forecasting the PIH by development of Diastolic notch. Doppler ultrasound is a reliable predictor of PIH in women and helps to avoid the complications associated with PIH by treatment plans.

Keywords: Uterine artery, Diastolic notch, Pregnancy induced hypertension, Second trimester