Reference ranges for umbilical and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and cerebroplacental ratio in prolonged pregnancies

Objective To construct normal ranges for umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA PI), middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA PI) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in prolonged pregnancies according to strict methodological criteria using polynomial regression analysis. Methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study involving 140 women, 10 women for each gestational day between 287 and 300 days of gestation. Fetal Doppler parameters were assessed to construct normal reference ranges for UA PI and MCA PI. CPR was calculated as a ratio of MCA PI/UA PI. Results Mathematical modeling of the data demonstrated that the optimal fit was a linear polynomial one. Mean, 5th and 95th centiles were calculated for UA, MCA and CPR and centile curves from the regression analysis were constructed. Conclusions Reference ranges for UA PI, MCA PI and CPR in prolonged pregnancies have been constructed. MCA PI shows a wider range than previously reported in the literature. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.