[Fetal weight estimation in children of diabetes mellitus mothers].
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy-associated diabetes mellitus poses a risk of fetal growth alterations. Fetal abdominal perimeter can be predictive of weight in full-term fetuses with normal growth, along with biparietal diameter, cephalic circumference, abdominal circumference and length of femur.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate fetal weight through set parameters.


METHODS
A descriptive correlational research was done, with study of the biometric parameters of fetal weight estimation during the third trimester of gestation of 59 diabetic pregnant patients, who were studied in the University of Carabobo's Diabetes and Pregnancy Unit and Perinatology Unit at the Enrique Tejera Hospital City in Valencia, Venezuela, 2004.


RESULTS
Sixty-four percent had gestational diabetes mellitus, 24% diabetes mellitus type 2, and 12% diabetes mellitus type 1. Serial ultrasound scans were performed on 33 women during the three trimesters of pregnancy, and to 16, it was performed another ultrasound scan one week prior to delivery or cesarean section, for fetal weight estimation. Gestation mean time was 37.5 +/- 0.51 weeks. Average estimated fetal weight was 3555.87 +/- 455.41 g. Kolmogorov-Smirnov normalcy tests: 0.200 (estimated fetal weight), 0.116 (birth weight), 0.000 (assessment week). T test: -0.506 Sig: 0.620 p > 0.05. Estimated fetal weight/birth-weight correlation: Pearson: 0.749 Sig. 0.001 < 0.005, r: 0.749, r2:0.561, F: 17.870 Sig: 0.001 < 0.05, thus demonstrating that correlation does exist. Prediction: newborn weight: 95.2 +/- 0.987 (estimated weight).


CONCLUSIONS
Estimated fetal weight at the end of the third trimester constitutes a good predictive parameter of fetal weight in newborn of diabetic mothers.
García de Yeguez
Marisol
M
Unidad de Diabetes y Embarazo-Unidad de Perinatología, Universidad de Carabobo-Ciudad Hospitalaria Dr Enrique Tejera, Valencia, Venezuela.
Castro Valderrama
Cledil Rosa
CR
Yegüez
Francisco
F
Rivas Blasco
Aleida
A
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D020567:Fetal Weight; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*