Estimating the Association of Ultrasonographical Placental Grading in Utero to Gestational Age and Feto-maternal outcomes in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Background: Worldwide, about 5-8% of all pregnant females are affected by hypertensive disorders. In rural India, the incidence is 10%. This entity has become a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, resulting in 10-15% of all maternal fatalities in developing nations, particularly in developing nations. Hence, identifying this entity in pregnant females and its timely management is vital for both mother and baby. Gestational hypertension can cause placental insufficiency due to narrowing and occlusion of uteroplacental vessels leading to intrauterine growth retardation. This study aims to detect placental grading by ultrasonography in the third trimester in cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to assess its correlation with fetal-maternal outcomes.

Methodology: This will be a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AVBRH, Wardha. About 130 pregnant normotensive females and 130 hypertensive pregnant females will be included in the study. Baseline data such as age, sex, parity, routine laboratory data, PIH profile, sonography scans will be collected. All the patients will be followed till delivery, and feto-maternal outcomes will be assessed. Data will be analyzed with appropriate statistical tests.

Expected Outcome: A significant correlation is expected between higher placental grading in hypertensive pregnant females compared to normotensive patients and will have a significant association with perinatal and fetal morbidity.