Question

A woman with an obstetric score of G2P1 comes to the clinic at 14 weeks of gestation for her antenatal checkup. A uterine artery doppler was suggested by the doctor. What would it detect?

• A. Early onset preeclampsia
• B. Late – onset preeclampsia
• C. Fetal growth restriction
• D. Placenta accreta

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The uterine artery Doppler ultrasound is a valuable tool used in obstetrics to assess uteroplacental blood flow, which is crucial in predicting and managing conditions related to placental insufficiency. At 14 weeks of gestation, conducting a uterine artery Doppler can help in the early detection of certain pregnancy complications due to abnormal placentation.

In the context given, the primary condition of interest that a 14-week uterine artery Doppler would detect is early onset preeclampsia. Early onset preeclampsia is associated with increased resistance in the uterine arteries, which can be identified by elevated blood flow velocities and the presence of an early diastolic notch on the Doppler waveform. Detecting these signs early allows clinicians to better manage and monitor at-risk pregnancies, potentially improving outcomes for both the mother and fetus.

Therefore, in this case, the Doppler ultrasound primarily aids in detecting early onset preeclampsia.