The role of fetal echo in assessment of ventricular and inter ventricular thickness in diabetic and non-diabetic mothers

Abstract

Background: Maternal diabetes mellitus is a common medical disorder that can significantly affect the fetal heart in both structure and function. Studies have demonstrated impaired development of cardiac and venous flow patterns in fetuses of diabetic mothers as early as 12 weeks of gestation. Aim the work: to highlight the role of fetal echo in assessment of inter ventricular thickness in diabetic and non-diabetic mothers. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on fifty pregnant women which divided into two groups: 25 pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 25 pregnant non-diabetic women referred from obstetricians to the radiology department, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Results: mean age of diabetic pregnant mothers was significantly higher than non-diabetic women while mean gestational age in diabetic pregnant mothers was significantly higher than non-diabetic women. The mean fetal weight, amniotic fluid index (AFI), fetal heart rate were significantly higher in pregnant diabetic women. Also, GA, BPD, HC, AC, FL, Fetal weight, AFI and FHR showed significant moderate positive correlation with IVS thickness in diabetic group only. To the best of the knowledge, our study shows a define cut-off point for IVST in diabetic mothers as we found that IVS thickness which concluded that it is perfect predictor for fetal assessment in diabetic pregnant women. Conclusion: fetuses of women with diabetes have higher AFI, AC, HR, BPD, FL and thicker IVS.