Abstract

Aim: To evaluate changes in uteroplacental circulation in pregnancy complications up to 20 weeks.

Methods: 26 women with threatened abortion with a living embryo, 24 women with anembryonic pregnancy, in addition to 22 women with missed abortion were included. In all women, trans-abdominal colour Doppler ultrasound study was performed including measurement of resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries. Results are analysed statisitically.

Statistics used: Unpaired t test

Result: vascular indices of missed abortion RI and PI have higher values than threatened abortion RI and PI. Difference was significant for PI with (P value of<0.001) and for RI with (P value of<0.01). In our study we found that anembryonic pregnancies having higher RI and PI than those of threatened abortion cases. Here difference is significant for RI with (P value <0.001) ),but difference is not significant for PI.

Conclusion: early pregnancy complications like threatened abortion, missed abortion and anembryonic pregnancy are associated with marked changes in uteroplacental circulation.  This abnormal blood flow pattern may increase the oxidative stress on the early placental tissue and subsequently impair placental development. Direct clinical implication need more research but these vascular studies helps us in understanding the pathophysiology of early pregnancy failure, helping in more rational management as well  as predicting  the outcome of these pregnancies.