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Prenatal Ultrasound Markers: A Comparative Study for Prediction of Respiratory Distress in Early Preterm Newborns

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Abstract

Purpose of Study

This study aimed to compare the prenatal ultrasound parameters- fetal lung biometry and pulmonary artery Doppler in preterm newborns for prediction of respiratory distress (RD).

Methods

A prospective analytic study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in collaboration with Department of Neonatalogy. Fetal ultrasound and Doppler parameters were evaluated in women predisposed to have preterm delivery at or before 34 weeks. The neonates were followed for occurrence of RD.

Result

Out of 100 study population, neonates who developed RD were taken as cases (n = 36) and rest were grouped as controls (n = 64). The gestational age at delivery, mean birth weight and Apgar score were significantly less in cases than controls. All the fetal lung biometric parameters were significantly less in cases than controls (p value < 0.001). The fetal lung volume had highest sensitivity (72.22%) and negative predictive value (83%). The right lung area had highest specificity (89%) and positive predictive value (72%). Among the Doppler parameters, the At/Et ratio showed high degree of accuracy (68%). The sensitivity and specificity were 55.56% and 75%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 72% and 60%, respectively.

Conclusions

Both fetal lung biometry and pulmonary artery Doppler offer an excellent noninvasive approach for assessment of fetal lung maturity, clinically assessed by RD. On comparison of all the ultrasound parameters, fetal lung volume and At/Et ratio showed highest degree of accuracy in prediction of RD.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associate Hospitals, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, New Delhi, 110001, India

    Shama Aafreen (Resident) & Manisha Kumar (Professor)

  2. Department of Neonatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associate Hospitals, New Delhi, 110001, India

    Sushma Nangia (Director Professor and Head)

Authors
  1. Shama Aafreen
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  2. Manisha Kumar
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  3. Sushma Nangia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manisha Kumar.

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Informed consent has been taken from all participants included in the study.

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Aafreen, S., Kumar, M. & Nangia, S. Prenatal Ultrasound Markers: A Comparative Study for Prediction of Respiratory Distress in Early Preterm Newborns. J Obstet Gynecol India 72 (Suppl 1), 198–203 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-01592-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-01592-w

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