Uterine artery Doppler flow in advanced maternal age at 17-24 weeks of gestation

Abstract

Objective: To present the Doppler flow of uterine artery for gestational age in earlysecond trimester in advanced maternal age compared with low risk youngpregnant women.

Methods: 132 singleton pregnant women with age at least 35 years old were enrolledas advanced maternal age group. 87 normal singleton pregnant womenyounger than 35 year old defined as control group. The uterine artery pulsatilityindices (PI), resistance indices (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (SD ratio), maximumvelocity (Vmax) and presence of diastolic notch of both sides wererecorded. The SPSS software version 13.0 was used to create graphs ofboth side uterine arteries Doppler flow throughout gestational age in secondtrimester of both groups.

Results: The distribution of uterine artery PI, RI and SD ratio at gestational age17-24 weeks of elderly pregnant women were higher than young pregnantwomen statistically significant. However, presence of uterine artery notchof both groups did not have significant differences.

Conclusions: Uterine artery PI, RI and SD ratio for gestational age in early second trimesterin advanced maternal age are higher than low risk young pregnant women.These findings show increase uterine artery impedance in women abovethe aged of 35.

Key words: Advanced maternal age, Doppler, Uterine artery