PREDICTING FETAL LUNG MATURITY USING THE FETAL MAIN PULMONARY ARTERY DOPPLER INDICES

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether main pulmonary artery Doppler indices correlate with fetal lung maturity. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study was designed to study Doppler Indices (Plasticity Index, Resistance Index, Systolic-to-Diastolic ratio, Peak systolic Velocity, Acceleration time & Ejection time) in MPA of fetuses in women which impend preterm birth in 3rd trimester (28-37 wks) Results: 23 of 145 fetuses (15.86%) developed RDS. Et, at & At/Et ratio of their MPA Doppler were positively correlated with gestational age. S/D ratio, PSV, RI and PI didn' t show correlation with fetal lung maturity. At/Et ratio had strongest predictive value for fetal lung maturity. At/Et ratio cut point >= 0.304 predicted fetal lung maturity in fetuses of 28-37 wks gestational age(sensitivity= 94.3%, specificity=95.7%, positive predictive value=99.1% and negative predictive value = 75,9%). Conclusion: Fetal MPA Doppler At/Et ratio can predicts FLM with high sensitivity and specificity as a noninvasive test.