title: Fetal epicardial fat thickness in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancies: A retrospective cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in diabetic and control pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in which fetal EFT was measured in the second trimester in 28 diabetics and 28 non-diabetic patients. Maternal BMI, estimated fetal weight, birth weight, fetal abdominal circumference, and subcutaneous fat thickness were also collected. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Student's T test, and linear regression as appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EFT was significantly higher in diabetic (1.43 mm) vs. control fetuses (1.16 mm), P = 0.02. This relationship remained significant when controlling for covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EFT was higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers vs. fetuses from controls. If confirmed in prospective studies, this may represent a novel marker for altered fetal metabolism due to maternal diabetes.
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knudtson
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Ravindu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gunatilake
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D020567:Fetal Weight; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal