Objective:

To evaluate the usefulness of the estimation of fetal pulmonary artery pressure obtained by doppler ultrasound as an indicator of fetal maturity and its correlation with neonatal outcomes in a group of patients attending the delivery room area of the Hospital Central de San Cristobal, between March and July 2023.

Methods:

This is an observational, descriptive, correlational study. The sample consisted of 90 women (90 fetuses) with a single pregnancy between 34 and 40 weeks of gestation.

Results:

From the doppler variables analyzed, it was evidenced that the fetal pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly (p < 0.001) with advancing gestational age. It was determined that there is a significant inverse association between fetal pulmonary artery pressure and fetal maturity (p < 0.001), such that the lower the fetal pulmonary artery pressure value, the higher the percentage of fetal maturity. A fetal pulmonary artery pressure cut-off point located at 55.9 mm Hg jointly determined the highest sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of fetal lung maturity, its sensitivity being 93.75 % and specificity being 80.77 %. With a positive predictive value of 92.31 % and a negative predictive value of 84 %.

Conclusion:

The estimation of fetal pulmonary artery pressure obtained by doppler ultrasound is useful as an indicator of fetal maturity.