Fetal umbilical arterial and venous Doppler measurements in gestational diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies near term.
OBJECTIVE
To compare Doppler measurements of umbilical arteries (UAs) and veins (UV) in diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies near term.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were prospectively recruited from a regional obstetric service over an 18-month period. Doppler assessment of the UA and UV done within 10 days from delivery were used for analysis. Similar measurements were performed in a control group of nondiabetic nonhypertensive patients near term.


RESULTS
All of the Doppler waveform patterns were within normal in the cohort of 140 patients (GDM 84, normal 62). The mean PI values for the UA and the mean total umbilical venous flow (TUVF) and TUVF per unit birth weight did not differ significantly between diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies. Large-for-gestational-age fetuses showed higher TUVF than normal size fetuses, but the TUVF per unit birth weight was higher for small-gestational-age fetuses. These differences were independent of their diabetic status.


CONCLUSIONS
Umbilical arterial and venous Doppler measurements near term were unable to distinguish between diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies. Umbilical venous flow volume was apparently more sensitive to the size of the fetus than to the maternal diabetic state.
To
William W K
WW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong. towkw@ha.org.hk
Mok
Charles K M
CK
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D047929:Term Birth; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*