Fetal adrenal gland size in gestational diabetes mellitus

Fetal adrenal gland size and umbilical artery Doppler in growth-restricted fetuses

OBJECTIVES

In fetal growth restriction (FGR), Doppler ultrasound is the most important method for the detection and management. However, additional parameters are needed to improve the distinction between constitutionally small fetuses and fetuses affected by FGR.

METHODS

A total of 445 singleton pregnancies between 23 and 40 weeks of gestation were included in our retrospective study, of which 67 with FGR and 378 normal fetuses. A 2D-plane of the fetal adrenal gland was obtained and the adrenal gland ratio was measured. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association of fetal Doppler and adrenal gland ratio with outcome parameters. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the statistical significance of "PI of the umbilical artery" and "adrenal gland ratio" as prognostic factors for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

RESULTS

PI of the umbilical artery was shown to correlate with outcome parameters (WG_Delivery: r=-0.125, p=0.008; birth weight: r=-0.268, p<0.001; birth weight centile: r=-0.248, p<0.001; APGAR at 5 min: r=-0.117, p=0.014). Adrenal gland ratio showed no correlation with any of the outcome parameters. In logistic regression however, both PI of the umbilical artery and the adrenal ratio were shown to be significantly associated with fetal IUGR. When combining the two parameters, predictive value was superior to the predictive value of each individual parameter (AUC 0.738 [95% CI 0.670; 0.806]).

CONCLUSIONS

The adrenal gland ratio can be a useful addition to Doppler ultrasound when it comes to the detection of fetal FGR. Prospective studies are needed to establish references ranges and cut-off values for clinical decision-making.

The Correlation Between Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Measurement of Fetal Adrenal Gland and Maternal Serum Fructosamine Level in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has an impact on fetal adrenal gland size and volume, which are greater in the GDM population. This study used 2D and 3D ultrasound scanning to determine the correlation of fetal adrenal gland size and volume with fructosamine levels, HbA1c levels, estimated fetal weight (EFW), and neonatal birth weight in GDM patients.

METHODS

This study included eighty singleton pregnant women diagnosed with GDM between 24-28 weeks of gestation. During weeks 32-34 of gestation, the length, width, and depth of the fetal zone and total adrenal gland were measured using transabdominal 2D ultrasound. Virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) software was used to evaluate fetal zone and total adrenal gland volume in 3D ultrasound. All the participants were followed until delivery. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between fetal adrenal gland ultrasound measurements and the factors of interest.

RESULTS

The study consisted of sixty-six (82.5%) pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM (GDMA1) and fourteen (17.5%) pregnant women with insulin-managed GDM (GDMA2). There was no difference in fetal adrenal gland measurements between the diet-controlled (GDMA1) and the insulin-managed (GDMA2) groups. All the participants had achieved optimal glucose levels at the time of ultrasound acquisition. The total adrenal gland length and fetal zone volume had statistically significant positive correlations with EFW (r = 0.69, p = 0.02 and r = 0.84, p = 0.01, respectively). After adjusting for EFW, only the fetal zone volume was significantly correlated with fructosamine levels (adjusted-OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.9, p = 0.01) and HbA1c levels (adjusted-OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6, 4.3, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The fetal zone volume is correlated with EFW, fructosamine levels, and HbA1c levels. This non-invasive technique may be beneficial as an indirect marker for glycemic monitoring in GDM.

Prenatal Assessment of Atypical Adrenal Glands: A Systematic Approach for Diagnosis

The aim of this study was to identify specific unusual prenatal ultrasound (US) patterns of the adrenal gland and to propose a systematic approach for diagnosis. Six fetuses with unusual aspects of one or both adrenal glands, detected during routine prenatal US screening, were evaluated. Prenatal and postnatal management are described. A checklist of US features was created to perform a detailed analysis of adrenal lesions and guide prenatal management; this includes the time of appearance, location, growth, vascularization, structure, and presence of findings suggestive of malignancy.

Osteoprotegerin, interleukin and hepatocyte growth factor for prediction of diabetes and hypertension in the third trimester of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) raises the risk of high blood pressure and may cause a series of life-threatening complications in pregnant women. Screening and management of GDM and gestational hypertension (GH) in pregnancy helps to control and reduce these risks and prevent adverse effects on mothers and their fetuses. Currently, the majority criteria used for screening of diabetes mellitus is oral glucose tolerance tests, and blood pressure test is usually used for the screening and diagnosis of hypertension. However, these criteria might not anticipate or detect all GDM or GH cases. Therefore, new specific predictive and diagnostic tools should be evaluated for this population. This study selected three biomarkers of osteoprotegerin (OPG), interleukin (IL) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for GDM and GH predication and diagnosis.

AIM

To explore the feasibility of changes in placental and serum OPG, IL and HGF as tools for prediction and diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension in pregnant women.

METHODS

From January 2018 to January 2019, 44 pregnant women with GDM and GH were selected as an observation group, and 44 healthy pregnant women were selected as a control group in the same period. Serum OPG, IL and HGF were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The levels of OPG and HGF in the observation group were lower than in the control group, and the level of IL-1β was higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, OPG and HGF were negatively associated with gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension, while IL-1β was positively associated with GDM complicated with GH (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of serum OPG, HGF and IL-1β levels in patients with coexistent gestational diabetes complicated with hypertension can predict the degree of disease and play an important role in the follow-up treatment and prognosis prediction.