The Relationship between Pulmonary Artery Doppler and Non-Doppler Sonographic Parameters in the Fetal Lung Maturity According to Gestational Age

Abstract

Ensi Khalili Pouya, Elham Keshavarz, Sedigheh Salemkar, Moein Moradpour, Hamideh Zeidabadi, Elham Tavakkol

Background: The evaluation of ultrasonic parameters of the lungs, especially the pulmonary arteries for gestational age, is still the first assessment of fetal lung maturity. We aimed to assess the relationship between pulmonary artery Doppler and non-Doppler sonographic parameters in the lung maturation of a fetus according to gestational age.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on pregnant women at different gestational ages that were indicated for Doppler ultrasonography as an indication for assessing fetal lung maturity. The correlation between non-Doppler sonographic indices and fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices was evaluated.

Results: Epiphyseal ossification centers, BPD, pulmonary echogenicity and free particles immersed in amniotic fluid were significantly higher in the group with a gestational age of 34 to 40 weeks than the group with a gestational age of 25 to 32 weeks. There was a significant difference in the mean of peak systolic velocity (PSV), ejection time (ET), acceleration time (AT) as well as acceleration time/ejection time (AT/ET) ratio between the two groups with a gestational age of 34 to 40 weeks and the group with a gestational age of 25 to 32 weeks. PSV, AT, ET, and AT/ET ration could predict fetal lung maturity with high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: With increasing gestational age, an increase in PSV, increase in AT, decrease in ET, and increase in AT/ ET indices are expected. In this regard, PSA, AT, ET, and AT/ET values are able to predict neonatal lung maturity with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

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