Sonographic measurement of the fetal pancreas in women with gestational diabetes
IntroductionThe aim of our study was to assess fetal pancreas size of the in a population of well controlled mothers with gestational diabetes.Material and methodsA cross sectional, prospective observational study. Pregnant women at 19-38 weeks of gestation who received glycemic control treatment for pre- or gestational diabetes were recruited. The fetal pancreas circumference (PC) was measured and compared to normal reference range. The Z score of the difference between measured and normal predicted mean PC, the regression analysis throughout pregnancy and the correlation between estimated fetal weight centile and PC were calculated.ResultsNinety-one gestational diabetic (GDM) and thirty-four pre gestational diabetic (PGDM) mothers were included in the study. For both groups, fetal PC correlated significantly with AC, EFW and GA. For GDM, the mean Z score between the predicted and the normal predicted PC for each week of gestation peaked at around 24 weeks of gestation (1.1) and decreased gradually afterwards to a zero value at 37 weeks. For PGDM, the mean Z score per week of gestation decreased constantly with advancing of pregnancy. It was positive until the 25th week of gestation and then presented negative values towards term.ConclusionsWe present preliminary data linking glycemic control treatment and fetal pancreas size. This correlation supports Pedersen's hypothesis and may serve as an indirect method for assessment of the effect of maternal hyperglycemia on the glucose-insulin environment within the fetal compartment.