Premium
Fetal epicardial fat thickness in diabetic and non‐diabetic pregnancies: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Jackson Daniel,
Deschamps David,
Myers Dean,
Fields David,
Knudtson Eric,
Gunatilake Ravindu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21353
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , diabetes mellitus , obstetrics , epicardial fat , retrospective cohort study , pregnancy , cross sectional study , endocrinology , adipose tissue , pathology , genetics , biology
Objective To evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in diabetic and control pregnancies. Methods A retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed in which fetal EFT was measured in the second trimester in 28 diabetics and 28 non‐diabetic patients. Maternal BMI, estimated fetal weight, birth weight, fetal abdominal circumference, and subcutaneous fat thickness were also collected. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of chi‐square, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, Student's T test, and linear regression as appropriate. Results EFT was significantly higher in diabetic (1.43 mm) vs. control fetuses (1.16 mm), P = 0.02. This relationship remained significant when controlling for covariates. Conclusions EFT was higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers vs. fetuses from controls. If confirmed in prospective studies, this may represent a novel marker for altered fetal metabolism due to maternal diabetes.