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Abnormal growth patterns in diabetes in pregnancy: a longitudinal study.
O Langer1, S Kozlowski, L Brustman
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7836.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Diabetic pregnancies show distinct fetal growth patterns. Gestational diabetes can lead to accelerated growth, particularly in abdominal circumference, aiding early risk detection.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with abnormal fetal growth.
- Understanding specific fetal growth patterns in diabetic pregnancies is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate distinct abnormal fetal growth patterns in diabetic pregnancies.
- To identify and characterize accelerated and restricted growth patterns in fetuses of diabetic mothers.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with serial third-trimester ultrasound examinations.
- Growth curves for femur length, abdominal circumference, and head circumference were established.
- Daily growth rates for fetal weight and morphometric measurements were calculated.
Main Results:
- Two accelerated growth patterns identified in gestational diabetes: early and late, with differing abdominal circumference percentiles.
- Macrosomic infants in controls showed high percentiles for femur length and head circumference.
- Small-for-gestational age infants in gestational diabetes had significantly larger abdominal circumferences compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Specific fetal growth dynamics in diabetic pregnancies can be identified.
- Early detection of at-risk fetuses based on these patterns can improve clinical decision-making.
- Gestational diabetes presents unique growth characteristics in both large-for-gestational age and small-for-gestational age fetuses.