COMPLIANCE WEIGHT DEFICIT INDEX - COMBINING UMBILICAL ARTERY RESISTANCE AND GROWTH DEFICIT FOR PREDICTING INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDATION AND POOR PERINATAL OUTCOME

One hundred sixty-sia patients underwent examination of the umbilical artery (LIA) by continuous wave Doppler ultrasound one week prior to d elivery. The UA compliance deficit (CD) and weight deficit (WD) were c ombined into an index (CWDI) by a formula based on the Pythagorean The orem, CWDI represents the hypotenuse, and CD and WD represent the two perpendicular, lines of a triangle: (CWDI = root CD2 + WD2). Perinatal outcomes were evaluated by the number of perinatal deaths, delivery f or fetal indications prior to 37 weeks' gestation, Jive-minute Apgar s core <7, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and the presenc e of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). A CWDI value of greater t han or equal to 20 was the most discriminatory in identifying fetuses with poor outcomes. Fetuses with CWDI greater than or equal to 20 were more likely to be premature (P<.001) or growth retarded (P<.001) or h ave lower Apgar scores (P<.005) and longer NICU stays (P<.001). Seven of the eight perinatal deaths occurred in patients with abnormal CWDI (P<.001). The sensitivity of an abnormal CWDI tons 95% for IUGR, 60% f or preterm delivery, 82% for NICU admission, 90% for Apgar score <7 at five minutes, 87% for perinatal mortality and 68% for overall poor pe rinatal outcomes. CWDI is a sensitive index for the identification of fetuses with IUGR and poor perinatal outcome.