Salvesen DR, Higueras MT, Mansur CA, Freeman J, Brudenell JM, Nicolaides KH. Placental and fetal Doppler velocimetry in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;
168:645-52. [PMID:
8438946 DOI:
10.1016/0002-9378(93)90512-h]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate placental and fetal circulation in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus and to relate any changes to fetal blood pH, Po2, and hematocrit.
STUDY DESIGN
Doppler measurements of both uterine arteries, one umbilical artery, the fetal descending thoracic aorta, and one fetal middle cerebral artery were performed in 65 well-controlled diabetic pregnancies in a cross-sectional study at the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, London. In 41 cases cordocentesis was also performed for the measurement of umbilical venous blood pH, Po2, and hematocrit.
RESULTS
The mean umbilical venous blood pH was significantly lower and the hematocrit significantly higher than the appropriate normal mean for gestation. However, the Doppler indices of the placental and fetal circulations were essentially normal, except in some of the cases complicated by preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation.
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal diabetes mellitus is not associated with abnormalities in Doppler indexes of the placental or fetal circulations.
Collapse