Placental Localisation by USG as a Predictor of Preeclampsia Development

Abstract

Objective: To find whether placental laterality as determined by ultrasound can be used as a predictor of the development of preeclampsia and to find its correlation with severity of preeclampsia, maternal and fetal outcomes. Design: Prospective study Setting: LLRM Medical college, Meerut, Antenatal clinic from October 2022 to March 2024. Sample: A total of 344 low-risk singleton pregnant women. Methods: At 18–24 weeks, an ultrasound was used to locate the placenta in the above mentioned women. Two groups of women were created: group A had a central placenta, while group B had a lateral placenta. The study's end point  was the onset of preeclampsia according to the RCOG criteria. Outcome: To analyse placental localisation as a predictor of preeclampsia development and its association with feto-maternal outcomes. Results: Of the 344 pregnant women included in the study, 210 (Group A) had a central placenta and 134 (Group B) had a lateral placenta. Overall, 52 women developed preeclampsia, giving an incidence of 15.12%. Among those who developed preeclampsia, 16 (30.8%) had a central placenta, whereas 36 (69.2%) had a lateral placenta. This difference was found to be statistically highly significant (p < 0.01). When evaluated as a screening tool for predicting preeclampsia, placental laterality demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.23% and a specificity of 66.44%. Conclusions: The placental laterality as assessed by ultrasonography at 18–24 weeks  is a simple, reliable and cost effective predictive screening tool for the onset of preeclampsia.