Evaluation of fetal cardiac function in pregnancies with well-controlled gestational diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate fetal ventricular diastolic function in pregnancies of women with gestational diabetes (GD), to determine whether minimal anomalies of glucose metabolism may influence fetal cardiac function.

Study design: Fetal ventricular filling time was measured by transabdominal ultrasound in singleton pregnancies between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. We used a measurement which consists in the ratio between the diastolic time and the whole cardiac cycle time.

Results: The study included 35 women with a GD and 217 non-diabetic. Right ventricular filling time (RVFT) was significantly lower in the GD group (mean of RVFT = 39.2 ± 4.4 vs 43.6 ± 4.6; p < 0.01). Likewise, left ventricular filling time (LVFT) was shorter in the GD group compared to the non-GD group, though the difference was not significant (mean of LVFT = 43.6 ± 4.6 vs 44.6 ± 5.5; p = 0.33).

Conclusions: Fetal right cardiac function is altered also in pregnancies where gestational diabetes is well controlled.

Keywords: Echocardiography; Fetal heart function; Gestational diabetes; Glycemia; International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups.