Does maternal diabetes delay fetal pulmonary maturity?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to determine whether a relationship exists between diabetic glucose control and the immaturity rate of fetal pulmonary maturity test results.


METHODS
One thousand consecutive women who had fetal pulmonary maturity testing before delivery were studied. Diabetic patients were categorized according to whether their diabetes was well controlled or poorly controlled, then compared to the nondiabetic population on the basis of amniocentesis results.


RESULTS
Pregnant women with poorly controlled diabetes had a significantly higher risk of immature fetal lung profiles at amniocentesis than did pregnant women without diabetes. Pregnant women with well-controlled diabetes were not significantly different from the nondiabetic population. There was no difference between gestational and pregestational diabetic pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Timing of fetal pulmonary maturation is linked to the level of maternal glucose control in diabetic pregnancies. Adequate glucose control may lower the risk of fetal pulmonary immaturity to that seen in the nondiabetic population.
Piper
J M
JM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7836.
Langer
O
O
D000649:Amniocentesis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D001786:Blood Glucose