Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of Doppler ultrasound as a predictor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in Korean women with anemia during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Methods: A retrospective study comparing women with (n=377) and without (n=3183) anemia was performed. Maternal anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration <10 g/dL. Umbilical artery Doppler (UmA) and uterine artery Doppler (UtA) velocimetry was performed before delivery.
Results: There were higher rates of small for gestational age, cesareans for fetal distress, and preterm birth among the anemic compared to non-anemic women. When maternal anemia was combined with abnormal Doppler, the odds ratio (OR) of adverse pregnancy outcome was further increased. Both abnormal UtA and UmA to predict adverse pregnancy outcome showed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 41.2%, 97.4%, 85.9%, and 51.2%, respectively (OR 2.0; 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.3).
Conclusions: Doppler ultrasound examination could be used as a predictor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with anemia during the third trimester.