Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 7, 1397-1402,
July 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and the outcome of pregnancies resulting from ICSI
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical School, and 2 Institute of Cancer Epidemiology and Institute of Social Medicine, Medical University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of pregnancy complications following assisted reproduction has been reported. The use of uterine artery Doppler ultrasound may aid the prediction of such complications. METHODS: Doppler was performed at 18–24 weeks gestation in 114 singleton and 32 twin pregnancies after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and compared with a control group matched for age, parity and plurality. Outcome variables included gestational age at delivery, prematurity, preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM), birth weight, birth weight discordance of >20% in twins, small for gestational age (SGA), mode of delivery, development of pre-eclampsia and placental abruption. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, there were no significant differences concerning uterine Doppler parameters, pregnancy complications and the neonatal outcome, either in singleton or in twin pregnancies. According to Doppler results and/or risk factors by medical history, 42% of singleton ICSI and 39% of spontaneous singleton pregnancies were considered as high risk. In singletons, abnormal Doppler findings were associated with pre-eclampsia in 22% and SGA in 26% of ICSI patients, compared with 33 and 21% in controls; in contrast, 0 and 10% in ICSI and 3 and 6% in controls showed these complications but no risk factors respectively. No correlation was found between PPROM, prematurity, the rate of Caesarean section and pathological Doppler results. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine Doppler examination holds the potential to identify patients with an increased risk for developing pregnancy complications. According to our results, this risk is not elevated after ICSI treatment, therefore the decision of offering an intensified antenatal care should be based on the results of Doppler examination or risks by medical history rather than the mode of conception.
Key words: Doppler ultrasonography/high risk pregnancy/ICSI/pregnancy outcome/uterine and uteroplacental blood flow
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Division of Prenatal Medicine, Medical University of Lübeck,Ratzeburger Allee 233, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany. E-mail: annegeipel{at}hotmail.com