Predictive value of umbilical artery Doppler for adverse perinatal outcome in patients with HELLP syndrome

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate in a prospective design the importance of pathologic umbilical artery (UA) Doppler findings as a predictive marker for neonatal outcome in patients with HELLP syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 45 pregnant women at 24-42 weeks of gestation with a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome were included. The study group consisted of 20 patients with abnormal UA Doppler results, and the remaining 25 HELLP syndrome patients with normal UA Doppler results were assigned to the control group. All patients were followed up until delivery, and the neonatal characteristics were compared. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. In the study group, gestational week at delivery and infant birth weight were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The rates of significant neonatal morbidity, neonatal mortality, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were significantly higher in study group patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UA Doppler abnormalities can be considered predictive of poor neonatal prognosis in patients with HELLP syndrome, as they were significantly related with higher rates of neonatal mortality and significant morbidity.