FETAL PULMONARY ARTERY DOPPLER PARAMETERS IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED
WITH INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS OF PREGNANCY: A PROSPECTIVE CASE-CONTROL
STUDY
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine
whether PATET was altered in the fetuses whose mothers were complicated
by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP). The secondary aim was
to investigate the association between fetal pulmonary artery Doppler
parameters with neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by IHCP.
Methods: This prospective case control study was conducted in a tertiary
perinatal-neonatal center. A total of 18 fetuses whose mothers were
complicated by IHCP were set as the study group and a total of 37
fetuses whose mothers were healthy were selected as the control group.
Fetal pulmonary artery Doppler parameters (acceleration time -AT;
ejection time -ET; AT/ET ratio) were assessed and neonatal outcomes were
evaluated. Results: Mean pulmonary artery AT, ET, PATET were
statistically significant different between the groups (p=0,001; p=0,024
and p=0,003, respectively). The mean PATET value in the IHCP group was
0,217 ± 0,029 while in the control group it was 0,180 ± 0,020 (p=0,003).
While PATET values were correlated with gestational age at birth,
respiratory distress and NICU admission were not correlated with PATET.
Conclusions: Higher values of PATET may be helpful to understand fetal
lung damage secondary to IHCP. Keywords: acceleration time; ejection
time; intrahepatic cholestasis; pulmonary artery