Effect of Magnesium Sulfate on Doppler Parameters of Fetal Umbilical and Middle Cerebral Arteries in Women with Severe Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of injecting magnesium sulfate on Doppler parameters of fetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries (MCA) in women with severe preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with severe preeclampsia admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah (Iran), were evaluated. Before and after administration of magnesium sulfate, Doppler ultrasound scan was carried out to measure fetal middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery blood flow. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After injection of magnesium sulfate, the mean resistivity index (RI)-umbilical, and pulsatility index (PI)-cerebral showed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001). The cerebroumbilical C/U ratio increased after the intervention (P < 0.001). The PI-umbilical (P = 0.1) and pre- and post-RI-cerebral (P = 0.96) did not have statistically significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of magnesium sulfate significantly decreases the flow in the fetus RI-umbilical and PI-MCA, and it increases C/U ratio indices in color Doppler ultrasound.