Predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes in women at 40 weeks or more of pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction and aim. To evaluate the clinical features of women at ≥40 weeks of pregnancy and the utility of obstetric Doppler indices in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in these pregnancies. Material and methods. This prospective study was conducted at a single academic medical center between 2020 and 2022. Women aged 18 years and older with no risk factors who were at ≥40 weeks of pregnancy and delivered their babies in our hospital were included in the study. The fetal biometry, placental maturity grading, and doppler velocytometry indices of the pregnant women were evaluated. The cases were divided into two groups according to the development of adverse perinatal outcomes. The relationship between clinical features and adverse perinatal outcomes was evaluated. Results. Adverse perinatal outcomes developed in 19.6% (42) of the 214 cases. The multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting perinatal outcomes. Accordingly, a maternal age of ≥35 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–3.96, p=0.038), nulliparity (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.13–4.63, p=0.040), and grade 3 placental calcification (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.11–4.53, p=0.029) were independent predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion. Care should be taken in terms of adverse perinatal outcomes in the presence of nulliparity, a maternal age of ≥35 years, and grade 3 placental calcification in ≥40 week pregnancies.