Second trimester cerebroplacental ratio versus umbilicocerebral ratio for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes

Abstract

Introduction

An abnormal third trimester cerebroplacental ratio has been previously associated with adverse perinatal outcome. The less studied inverse of the cerebroplacental ratio, the umbilicocerebral ratio, has been proposed as a better predictor of adverse perinatal outcome. However, little is known about the implication of either an abnormal cerebroplacental ratio or umbilicocerebral ratio in the second trimester. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between an abnormal second trimester cerebroplacental ratio and adverse perinatal outcome and provide comparison to an abnormal second trimester umbilicocerebral ratio.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary referral center utilized data from all non-anomalous singleton pregnancies that underwent Doppler assessment of the cerebroplacental ratio between 20 and 28 weeks gestation. The study period was 1 January 2015 to 31 July 2018. Abnormal cerebroplacental ratio was defined as less than the 5th percentile for gestational age. If patients had more than one ultrasound during the study period (i.e. for serial assessment of fetal growth), the lowest value of the cerebroplacental ratio was recorded. The primary outcome was a composite of clinically relevant adverse perinatal outcomes including preterm delivery, small for gestational age, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Secondary outcomes included urgent delivery for fetal distress (operative vaginal delivery or cesarean section) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. An abnormal umbilicocerebral ratio was defined as greater than 95th percentile for gestational age. Areas under the curve were calculated and compared for cerebroplacental ratio and umbilicocerebral ratio.

Results

2326 pregnancies met inclusion criteria. Of these, 91 (3.9%) had an abnormal second trimester cerebroplacental ratio. Fetuses with an abnormal second trimester cerebroplacental ratio had a 2.3-fold (95% CI 1.5–3.6, p < .05) increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome after adjusting for potential confounders such as chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and smoking during pregnancy. Significantly increased risks of preterm delivery (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–38, p < .05) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.6, p < .05) were also seen in a subgroup analysis of abnormal cerebroplacental ratio in appropriate for gestational age infants. 132 (5.7%) fetuses had an abnormal second trimester umbilicocerebral ratio, and these fetuses had a 2.0-fold (95% CI 1.4–3.0, p < .05) increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. The area under the curve for CPR and UCR for prediction of the primary outcome was 0.6 for both (95% CI 0.57–0.61 and 0.57–0.62, respectively, both p < .05).

Conclusion

An abnormal second trimester cerebroplacental ratio or umbilicocerebral ratio is associated with adverse perinatal outcome. However, the predictive ability of either ratio remains suboptimal.

Keywords:

• Cerebroplacental ratio
• umbilicocerebral ratio
• second trimester
• adverse perinatal outcome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).