COMPARISON OF UMBILICAL ARTERY DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY BETWEEN MATERNAL SUPINE POSITION AND COMPLETE LEFT LATERAL POSITION IN PREDICTING OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS

The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in women in the supine position with that in women in the complete left lateral position as a screening test for abnormal obstetric outcome;. Umbilical artery resistance index (RI) w as measured at 27-29 weeks and 35-37 weeks in 202 pregnant women. The measurements were performed with the mother in the supine position in 100 cases (supine group), and in the complete left lateral position in 102 cases (lateral group) Predictive values of the tests for abnormal outcomes (small for gestational age, fetal distress, pregnancy-induce d hypertension) were compared between both groups. When abnormal Rls w ere defined as being greater than the 90th centile in the supine group , the sensitivities for any of the abnormal outcomes at 27-29 weeks we re 18% in the supine group and 6% in the lateral group; the positive p redictive values were 30% and 25%, respectively. For measurement at 35 -37 weeks, the sensitivity and positive predictive value were 29% and 45%, respectively in the supine group, and 0% in both cases in the lat eral group. When abnormal Rls were defined as being greater than the 9 0th centile in the lateral group, the sensitivities at 27-29 weeks wer e 41% in the supine group and 6% in the lateral group; the positive pr edictive values were 44% and 8%, respectively. At 35-37 weeks, the sen sitivity and positive predictive value were 53% and 43% in the supine group, and 6% and 8% in the lateral group. Umbilical artery Doppler ve locimetry when the mother was in the complete left lateral position wa s of little value as a screening test. However, when the mother is in the supine position, it may serve as a kind of stress test and disclos e latent obstetric abnormalities in certain cases.