Fetal Nasal Flow Doppler and Breathing Patterns for Prediction of Preterm Labor: A Prospective Cohort Study

Hassan, Ahmed; Abdou, Hossam; Elhossary, Hend; Abdel Salam, Eman; Saeed, Marwa; AbdElsalam, Karim

doi:10.58675/2682-339X.2836

	Fetal Nasal Flow Doppler and Breathing Patterns for Prediction of Preterm Labor: A Prospective Cohort Study
Al-Azhar International Medical Journal
Volume 2025, Issue 1, January 2025
DOI: 10.58675/2682-339X.2836
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Authors
Ahmed Hassan¹; Hossam Abdou¹; Hend Elhossary¹; Eman Abdel Salam²; Marwa Saeed¹; Karim AbdElsalam¹
¹Obstetrics and Gynecology, faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt
²Radiodiagnosis, faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Predicting preterm birth is complex and continues to be a significant challenge. Despite the advancement of numerous techniques, no single method has proven entirely effective. In this research, the significance of nasal flow Doppler and patterns of fetal breathing movement (FBM) during symptomatic preterm labor (PTL) was investigated. Methods: This prospective research involved 81 pregnant women, aged 18 to 45 years, with a body mass index of 20-35 kg/m², and gestational ages between 28-37 weeks, all presenting with symptomatic PTL. Symptoms included uterine contractions of at least four in 20 minutes or eight in 60 minutes, with cervical dilation between 2-5 cm, and transvaginal cervical length measurement. Results: There were no significant differences in fetal nostril width and breathing movement relative to delivery timing, except for the absence or irregularity of movements, which were more common in cases where delivery occurred within a day. The inspiration/expiration number rate was also notably decreased in these cases. Fetal nostril width and breath movements generally did not provide significant diagnostic value for predicting imminent delivery, though the inspiration/expiration number rate showed limited diagnostic performance. Conclusions: Doppler techniques allowed fetal nasal fluid flow assessment, with the inspiration/expiration ratio of ≤1.12 demonstrating the highest sensitivity and positive predictive value for predicting delivery within a day, making it a significant marker for increased PTL risk.


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