Assessment oifamnioticjluid insulin in . . pregnaiicies complicated by diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common medical conditions complicating pregnancy. It increases the risk of maternal morbidity, increases the incidence of operative interference as well as perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Fetal macrosomia is the most important risk factor for adverse fetal outcome. Its pathogenesis IS thought to be mainly due to fetal hyperinsulinemia resulting from maternal hyperglycemia, which is inevitably transmitted to the fetus. So, control of maternal hyperglycemia should decrease the risk of fetal macrosomia and its complications.

The objective of this study was to correlate fetal insulin J(wels (as

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measured in the amniotic fluid and cord blood) with maternal blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (as an indicator of glycemic control in the last 6 weeks) and to correlate amniotic fluid insulin (AFI) with fetal outcome (as assessed by Apgar score and fetal birth weight) and with cord blood glucose and insulin.