Systematic review and meta-analysis of the test accuracy of ductus venosus Doppler to predict compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing in high risk pregnancies with placental insufficiency

Objective: To evaluate the test accuracy of ductus venosus Doppler for prediction of compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing.

Study design: The search strategy employed searching of electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Medion) from inception to May 2009, hand searching of journal and reference lists, contact with experts. Two reviewers independently selected articles in which the results of ductus venosus Doppler were associated with the occurrence of compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing. There were no language restrictions applied. Data were extracted on study characteristics, quality and results to construct 2 x 2 tables. Likelihood ratios for positive and negative test results, sensitivity, specificity and their 95% confidence intervals were generated for the different indices and thresholds.

Results: Eighteen studies, testing 2267 fetuses met the selection criteria, all performed in a high risk population with placental insufficiency in second/third trimester. Meta-analysis showed moderate predictive accuracy. The best result was for the prediction of perinatal mortality, positive likelihood ratio 4.21 (95% CI 1.98-8.96) and negative likelihood ratio 0.43 (95% CI 0.30-0.61). For prediction of adverse perinatal outcome the results were positive likelihood ratio 3.15 (95% CI 2.19-4.54) and negative likelihood ratio 0.49 (95% CI 0.40-0.59).

Conclusion: Abnormal ductus venosus Doppler showed moderate predictive accuracy for compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing overall and perinatal mortality in high risk pregnancies with placental insufficiency.