Fetal sonographic growth profile in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus: A Comparative Analysis

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1500 pregnant women, 739 of whom were diagnosed with GDM. Data were collected from sonographic fetal growth measurements at different gestational stages within seven days of undergoing oral glucose tolerance test with 75-gram glucose.

The mean age of the GDM cases was 27.81  4.353 years while multi-gravidae were more affected. The incidence of GDM was significantly high among the urban and sub-urban dwellers (P – 0.013) as well as the people from arsenic prevalent areas (P-0.008). Risk factors like obesity (P – 0.001), previous history of GDM (P – 0.027) were also found significantly in higher number among GDM group comparing to control group. Hypothyroidism (P – <0.001) showed statistically significant association in not developing GDM. Fetal sonographic growth profile showed significant differences between two groups - in estimated fetal weight during 17-20 weeks (P-0.023) and 25-32 weeks (P-0.030) (P-0.017), in abdominal circumference during 17-20 weeks (P-0.006) and 25-28 weeks (P-0.004), in bi-parietal diameter during 17-20 weeks (P-0.002) and 25-28 weeks (P-0.006), in head circumference during 25-28 weeks (P-0.011) and in femur length during 17-20 weeks (P-0.001) as well as 29-32 weeks (P-0.038) of gestation.

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Background: This study aimed to explore whether ultra-sonogram has any role in early detection of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) investigating the fetal growth profiles of women with GDM compared to women without GDM at the time of diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1500 pregnant women, 739 of whom were diagnosed with GDM. Data were collected from sonographic fetal growth measurements at different gestational stages within seven days of undergoing oral glucose tolerance test with 75-gram glucose.

Results: The mean age of the GDM cases was 27.81  4.353 years while multi-gravidae were more affected. The incidence of GDM was significantly high among the urban and sub-urban dwellers (P – 0.013) as well as the people from arsenic prevalent areas (P-0.008). Risk factors like obesity (P – 0.001), previous history of GDM (P – 0.027) were also found significantly in higher number among GDM group comparing to control group. Hypothyroidism (P – <0.001) showed statistically significant association in not developing GDM. Fetal sonographic growth profile showed significant differences between two groups - in estimated fetal weight during 17-20 weeks (P-0.023) and 25-32 weeks (P-0.030) (P-0.017), in abdominal circumference during 17-20 weeks (P-0.006) and 25-28 weeks (P-0.004), in bi-parietal diameter during 17-20 weeks (P-0.002) and 25-28 weeks (P-0.006), in head circumference during 25-28 weeks (P-0.011) and in femur length during 17-20 weeks (P-0.001) as well as 29-32 weeks (P-0.038) of gestation.

Conclusion: This article recommends extensive studies with careful sonographic monitoring of fetal growth to mitigate the risks.