Evaluation of the measurement of the fetal fat layer, interventricular septum and abdominal circumference percentile in the prediction of macrosomia in pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the measurement of the fetal abdominal fat layer (FFL), cardiac interventricular septum (IVS) and abdominal circumference (AC) percentile in the early third trimester as predictors of macrosomia at birth in the fetuses of women with gestational diabetes.


METHODS
Ninety patients attending the hospital's special diabetic clinic were recruited prospectively. FFL and IVS were measured in addition to the routine biometry in the early third trimester. AC was measured routinely and AC percentile was determined from established antenatal charts. These measurements were then assessed as predictors of macrosomia.


RESULTS
A fetal fat layer of >/=5 mm was the most useful predictor of macrosomia at term as assessed using the likelihood ratio. An AC >/=90th percentile, however, had a better sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The usefulness of routine FFL measurement in the early third trimester in the management of diabetic pregnancies is worthy of further evaluation.
Bethune
M
M
Ultrasound Department, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. bethunes@optusnet.com.au
Bell
R
R
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods