Fetal maturation in strictly controlled diabetic pregnancy

In 56 strictly controlled diabetic pregnancies, altogether 60 amniotic fluid samples were analysed for their content of lipid-carrying cells and the presence of phosphatidylglycerol. The outcome of the amniotic fluid tests was examined for its association to macrosomia and to minor neonatal complications such as hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, respiratory disturbances and hyperbilirubinaemia. The predictive value of these tests was nil, since all cases of neonatal complications occurred in the group showing maturity in tests at week 37. At term, phosphatidylglycerol was detected in 80% of the pregnancies, a finding corresponding to our observations in non-diabetic pregnancies. Lipid-carrying cells were present in quantities indicating maturity (greater than or equal to 10%) in 65% of the pregnancies at term, compared with 87% in non-diabetic pregnancies, suggesting a somewhat disturbed skin maturation secondary to the maternal diabetic state. The failure of these tests to predict neonatal complications indicates that other factors may be of more importance for the occurrence of these disorders than those aspects of final functional maturation of the fetus that are reflected in these two particular maturity tests.