Validity of umbilical artery blood velocimetry in the prediction of intrauterine growth retardation and fetal compromise

In a prospective longitudinal investigation, the validity of umbilical artery velocimetry in the detection of IUGR and fetal compromise was calculated in a group of 105 patients. With the help of pulsed Doppler ultrasound, measurements were performed from a menstrual age of 15 weeks onwards till term. The pulsatility index was calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and post test probability were determined with regard to the ability to predict IUGR and fetal compromise. The sensitivity in the detection of IUGR was 44.4%, the post test probability was 32.4%. For the prediction of fetal distress a sensitivity of 77.8% and a post test probability of 40.1% was calculated. In a selected group of high-risk patients (IUGR or PIH) the post-test probability was 77.6%. It seems clear that umbilical artery velocimetry is not useful as a screening tool for IUGR, but it has some potential to predict fetal distress.