# Prognostic value of uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography combined with serum PECAM-1 and PLGF levels and gut microbiota colony count for predicting outcomes in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy patients

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining Doppler ultrasound, blood markers, and gut bacteria levels can help predict poor pregnancy outcomes in women with high blood pressure during pregnancy.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in combining uterine artery Doppler, serum PECAM-1/PLGF levels, and gut microbiota colony counts to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDCP.

## Key findings

- Lower PECAM-1 and PLGF levels were observed in HDCP patients with adverse outcomes.
- Higher E. coli and Enterococcus counts correlated with poor pregnancy outcomes.
- The combined diagnostic approach had an AUC of 0.878 for predicting adverse outcomes.

## Abstract

This research aimed to determine the predictive value of a combined diagnosis of serum platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and placental growth factor (PLGF) levels, gut microbiota count, and uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography in relation to pregnancy outcomes in patients with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP). A total of 134 HDCP patients upon admission to our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024 were selected as the observation group, and 134 healthy prenatal checkups were selected as the control group during the same period. The uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography parameters, serum PECAM-1 and PLGF levels, and the number of gut microbiota colonies between both groups were compared. The results suggested that compared to the control group or good pregnancy outcome group, the observation group or adverse pregnancy outcome group had lower levels of serum PECAM-1 and PLGF, higher colony counts of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus, and lower colony counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The area under the curve for the combined diagnosis of adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDCP patients using uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography parameters, serum PECAM-1 and PLGF levels, counts of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, and E. coli was 0.878, which was upregulated compared to the individual diagnosis. Collectively, the combination of uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography, serum PECAM-1 and PLGF levels, and gut microbiota colony count has a high prognostic value for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in HDCP, which can provide clinical treatment options and is of great significance for improving pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. This multimodal approach also supports nursing-led monitoring and patient education, facilitating early intervention in high-risk HDCP pregnancies.