title: Evaluation of fetal liver volume by tridimensional ultrasound in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on fetal liver growth during the third trimester.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a longitudinal study of pregnant women recruited at the time of GDM screening (24 to 28 weeks of gestation), with follow-up visits at 32 weeks, 36 weeks, and delivery. Women with GDM were followed with nutritional recommendations and insulin when necessary according to the Canadian Diabetes Association guidelines. Fetal liver volume was evaluated using 3-D ultrasound at each antenatal visit, and fetal liver growth was compared between women with and without GDM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven women were recruited, 10 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 17 with confirmed GDM, five who required insulin and 12 who were treated by diet only. We found no difference in fetal liver volume between groups at any of the three visits, and median birth weight was also similar between groups. On the other hand, we found a strong correlation between fetal liver volume at 36 weeks' gestation and birth weight (ρ = 0.61, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our preliminary study, we found that fetal liver volume could be a strong predictor of infant birth weight independent of GDM status. This suggests that fetal liver volume of offspring of women with NGT is similar to that of offspring of women with GDM treated following recommended targets. Larger studies are required.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Unit, Université Laval Medical Center, Québec City, Québec.
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dubé
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Morisset
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tchernof
authors.forename: S John
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Weisnagel
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bujold
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal