Role of Color Doppler Indices in Predicting Low Birth Weight among Patients with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Longitudinal Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Doppler ultrasonography diagnostic utility in predicting unfavorable perinatal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies. Methodology: The Department of Radiology at the Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Tamil Nadu conducted a prospective cohort study from September 2024 to June 2025. Doppler evaluations of the Umbilical Artery (UA), Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) and Cerebroplacental Ratio (CPR) were performed on seventy-eight pregnant women (39 high-risk and 39 normal controls) between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation. There was a correlation between perinatal outcomes and Doppler indices. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data and a P value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: In this study, most participants were aged 25–30 years with primigravidae predominating. Abnormal Doppler findings were significantly higher in the high-risk group (71.8%) than in the control group (none; P < 0.05). Among high-risk pregnancies, adverse outcomes were observed in 88.46% with abnormal UA, 92.6% with abnormal MCA and 70.0% with abnormal CPR results. Hypertensive disorders were the leading cause of poor outcomes. UA Doppler showed the highest sensitivity (92.86%) and accuracy (87.18%), followed by MCA (89.29%, 87.2%) and CPR (82.4%, 76.9%). Conclusion: In high-risk pregnancies, Doppler ultrasonography is a dependable, non-invasive method for forecasting unfavorable perinatal outcomes. Evaluating the UA, MCA, and CPR indices together improves diagnostic precision and facilitates prompt obstetric interventions.