OBJECTIVE Determine if abnormal prenatal Doppler ultrasound indices are predictive of postnatal impaired cerebral autoregulation. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study of 46 subjects, 240-296 weeks' gestation. Utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy and receiver-operating characteristic analysis, impaired cerebral autoregulation was defined as >16.5% time spent in a dysregulated state within 96 h of life. Normal and abnormal Doppler indices were compared for perinatal outcomes. RESULTS Subjects with abnormal cerebroplacental ratio (n = 12) and abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index (n = 13) were likely to develop postnatal impaired cerebral autoregulation (p ≤ 0.02). Abnormal cerebroplacental ratio was associated with impaired cerebral autoregulation between 24 and 48 h of life (p = 0.016). These subjects have increased risk for fetal growth restriction, lower birth weight, lower Apgar scores, acidosis, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage and/or death (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and umbilical artery pulsatility index are associated with postnatal impairment in cerebral autoregulation and adverse outcome.
Utility of prenatal Doppler ultrasound to predict neonatal impaired cerebral autoregulation.