ABSTRACT
To evaluate a random single Doppler study of the systolic to diastolic ratio of the
umbilical artery as a predictor of perinatal outcome in diabetic pregnancies, a prospective
double-blind study was performed in 92 diabetic pregnant women between 28 and 40 weeks
of gestation. Main outcome measures were perinatal outcome: group A, normal outcome;
group B, poor outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of the Doppler studies as a
predictor of poor perinatal outcome were 39% and 92%, respectively. The positive and
negative predictive values were 54% and 86%, respectively. Our results suggest that
the systolic to diastolic ratio of the umbilical artery offers no advantage over other
well-established tests in the management of diabetic pregnancies.
Keywords
Umbilical artery - Doppler - diabetes
