The role of ductus venosus doppler, fetal liver length and placental thickness in gestational diabetes

Abstract

To detect the possible adaptive changes that may have an impact on placenta and fetus in the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus using ultrasonography. We compared ductus venosus peak systolic flow velocity, fetal liver length and placental thickness between 25 healthy pregnants and 25 pregnants with gestational diabetes mellitus; diagnosed by 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test during their 24–28 weeks of pregnancy. Measurements were conducted with a 2 D transabdominal convex probe. In addition, gravida, parity, type of birth, gestational diabetes mellitus story, diabetes mellitus story in family, body mass index and demographic characteristics were also compared. In the demographic characteristics, family history of diabetes mellitus and personal history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus were significantly higher in the group with gestational diabetes than the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between other demographic features The mean ductus venosus peak systolic flow was measured 35 cm/s in group with gestational diabetes mellitus while it was 45 cm/s in the control group, hence significantly lower in the group with gestational diabetes mellitus. The mean fetal liver length was measured 48 mm in group with gestational diabetes mellitus while it was 44 mm in the control group, thus higher in the group with gestational diabetes. The mean placental thickness was measured 40 mm in group with gestational diabetes while it was 37 mm in control group. There was no statistically significant difference in placental thickness between pregnants with gestational diabetes and healthy controls. Ductus venosus peak systolic flow and fetal liver length measurements are different in patients with gestational diabetes than healty controls.