Use of uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography to predict pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction: a systematic review and bivariable meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alterations in waveforms in the uterine artery are associated with the development of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. We investigated the predictive accuracy of all uterine artery Doppler indices for both conditions in the first and second trimesters.

Methods

We identified relevant studies through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Medion databases (all records to April 2006) and by checking bibliographies of identified studies and consulting with experts. Four of us independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study validity. We performed a bivariable meta-analysis of sensitivity and specificity and calculated likelihood ratios.

Results

We identified 74 studies of pre-eclampsia (total 79,547 patients) an

SUBMITTER: Cnossen JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2263112 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature