Prediction of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) using novel method of non-invasive doppler ultrasound - A systematic review

Based on the systematic review, periodic Doppler assessment is essential in IUGR. However, there is no novel method to detect the various anomalies of IUGR. Therefore there is a need to conduct further reviews on non-invasive Doppler study for identifying all the methods. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) caused by various etiologies results in an increased risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity. This paper systematically reviews the various methodologies adopted in predicting growth restriction and its fetal outcome. A systematic search of articles (PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, CINAHL and Web of Science) was undertaken for English language articles which were published between 1st June 1986 and 31st December 2013. Total 2049 articles related to the topic was searched and finally, 11 articles are selected. A total of eleven articles are included in the review. The Doppler study included were an umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, aortic isthmus, descending thoracic artery and ductus venous flow. Pulsatility index (PI), resistivity index (RI) and S/D ratio are studied by various authors. The Doppler flow predicts the adverse effect of the fetal outcome in IUGR and non-IUGR group. A review highlighted that periodic Doppler assessment in IUGR has the effective tool in assessing the hemodynamic state of the fetus and abnormal patterns that predict the adverse perinatal outcome. This engages the IUGR subjects in close monitoring and helps in minimising perinatal complications.