Doppler Assessment Of Umbilical Blood Flow In 2nd And 3rd Trimester Pregnancies Of Women With Primary Hypertension

Background: Primary hypertension during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Doppler ultrasound assessment of umbilical blood flow and amniotic fluid index (AFI) provides information regarding fetoplacental hemodynamics and fetal well-being. Objective: To evaluate Doppler assessment of umbilical blood flow in second- and third-trimester pregnancies of women with primary hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study included 120 pregnant women between 20 and 39 weeks of gestation, divided equally into a primary-hypertension group (n=60) and normotensive controls (n=60). Umbilical artery RI, PI, S/D ratio and AFI were assessed using Doppler ultrasound. Results: Mean AFI was lower in the hypertensive group (9.38 ± 0.89) than controls (12.84 ± 1.23; p<0.001). Umbilical artery RI, PI and S/D ratio were higher in hypertensive pregnancies: 0.72 ± 0.07 vs 0.58 ± 0.05, 2.81 ± 0.64 vs 1.24 ± 0.38, and 3.58 ± 0.48 vs 2.46 ± 0.38, respectively; all were statistically significant. Conclusion: Primary hypertension was associated with reduced AFI and elevated umbilical artery Doppler indices, consistent with increased fetoplacental vascular resistance.