Relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine fetal distress

BACKGROUND By comprehensively analyzing the blood flow parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries, doctors can more accurately identify fetal intrauterine distress, as well as assess its severity, so that timely interventions can be implemented to safeguard the health and safety of the fetus. AIM To identify the relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine distress. METHODS Clinical data of pregnant women admitted between January 2021 and January 2023 were collected and divided into the observation and control groups (n = 50 each), according to the presence or absence of intrauterine distress. The ultrasound hemodynamic parameters of the uterine artery (UtA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), and umbilical artery (UmA) were compared with neonatal outcomes and occurrence of intrauterine distress in the two groups. RESULTS Comparison of ultrasonic hemodynamic parameters, resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic maximal blood flow velocity of UmA compared to diastolic blood flow velocity (S/D), revealed higher values of fetal MCA, PI, and S/D of UmA in pregnant women with UtA compared to controls (P < 0.05), while there was no difference between the two groups in terms of RI (P < 0.05) The incidence of a neonatal Apgar score of 8-10 points was lower in the observation group (66.7%) than in the control group (90.0%), and neonatal weight (2675.5 ± 27.6 g) was lower than in the control group (3117.5 ± 31.2 g). Further, cesarean section rate was higher in the observation group (70.0%) than in the control group (11.7%), and preterm labor rate was higher in the observation group (40.0%) than in the control group (10.0%). The incidence of fetal distress, neonatal growth restriction and neonatal asphyxia were also higher in the observation group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Fetal MCA, UmA, and maternal UtA hemodynamic abnormalities all develop in pregnant women with intrauterine distress during late pregnancy, which suggests that clinical attention should be paid to them, and monitoring should be strengthened to provide guidance for clinical intervention.