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Fetal epicardial fat thickness in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancies: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Daniel Jackson1, David Deschamps1, Dean Myers1
1OB/GYN Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
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.
