Doppler umbilical velocimetry in women with polydrug abuse including cocaine

Abstract

Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry was performed in 40 chemically dependent women. The mean S/D ratio was 2.7 with 15/66 values greater than or equal to 3.0. No cases of absent or reverse end-diastolic flow were noted. The mean S/D ratio in women with positive toxicologies for cocaine use was not statistically elevated compared to women with negative screens (2.8 versus 2.7, P = 0.51). In this study an S/D ratio greater than or equal to 3.0 had a sensitivity of 40% for identifying intrauterine growth retardation with a positive predictive value of 20%.