Doppler Assessment of the Uterine Arteries for the Definition of Pubertal Onset in Girls

Abstract Pelvic ultrasonography (US) is a quick, non-invasive and low-cost method, doppler analysis facilitates assessment of flow impedance measurement in the uterine vascular tree. The pulsatility index (PI) reflects blood vessel distal to sampling point has been suggested as parameter define pubertal development. In order evaluate PI US measurements uterus ovaries girls with different stages, we performed cross-sectional study normal Doppler assessed arteries (defined difference between peak systolic end-diastolic divided by mean maximum velocity), endometrial thickness, ovarian volumes were evaluated. All exams same equipment radiologist. Clinical data such age menarche, pubarche thelarche recorded. Statistical analyses SPSS, ANOVA test, Spearman correlation ROC curve Youden. One hundred sixty-nine aged 5-16 years (mean 11.3 ± 1.8) who two pelvic included (Tanner 1=20%, Tanner 2=22%, 3=23%, 4=17%, 5=17%). Mean thelarche, menarche 11.1 1.8, 10.2 1.2 12.2 1.1 respectively. Prepubertal 1) had significantly higher than initial puberty 2 3 grouped) late 4 5 grouped), respectively 6.5 2.27 vs. 4.15 1.55 2.82 1.06, p<0.001 for all comparisons. demonstrated that able identify onset an area under 0.80 0.04, P<0.001, cutoff IP=5.05 presented sensitivity 0.77 specificity puberty. When combined cutoffs IP <5.05 plus volume >3.75 cm³, found 0.72 0.90 detect We identified strong negative (rs=-0.72, p<0.001) moderate thickness (rs=-0.68, right (rs=-0.60, left (rs=-0.59, volumes. conclusion, significant reduction during development, reflecting progressive increase uterus, which can be valuable highly specific tool confirm