Association of increased fetal epicardial fat thickness with maternal
pregestational and gestational diabetes
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the changes of fetal epicardial fat
thickness (EFT) in pregnancies with pregestational (PGDM) and
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to identify the diagnostic
effectiveness of fetal EFT in differentiating PGDM and GDM from normal
pregnancies. Methods: The study was conducted with pregnant
women who admitted to perinatology department between November 2020 and
September 2022. Patients were analyzed as 3 groups: PGDM (n=161), GDM
(n=171) and control group (n=170). EFT was measured in all three groups
at 29 weeks of gestation. Demographic characteristics and
ultrasonographic findings were recorded and compared. Results:
The mean fetal EFT was significantly higher in PGDM (1.47±0.083 mm,
p<0.001) and GDM (1.40±0.082 mm, p<0.001) groups
compared to control group (1.19±0.049 mm) and was also significantly
higher in PGDM group than GDM group (p<0.001). Fetal EFT was
significantly positively correlated with maternal age, fasting, 1
st hour, 2 nd hour glucose values,
HbA1c, fetal abdominal circumference and deepest vertical pocket of
amniotic fluid (p<0.001). Fetal EFT value of 1.3 mm diagnosed
PGDM patients with a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 98.2%.
Fetal EFT value of 1.27 mm diagnosed GDM patients with a sensitivity of
94% and a specificity of 95%. Conclusions: Fetal EFT is
greater in pregnancies with diabetes than in normal pregnancies, and
also greater in PGDM than in GDM. In addition, fetal EFT is strongly
correlated with maternal blood glucose levels in diabetic pregnancies.