Predictive value of fetal hepatic biometry for birth weight and cord blood markers in gestational diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate third-trimester fetal liver biometry, to predict birth weight and cord markers at birth in diabetic pregnancies.

Study design: Fetal liver biometry (liver diameters, area and volume) was obtained between 32 and 34 weeks. A blood sample was obtained from cord after birth. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve models were evaluated for 75th and 90th birth weight percentile. Univariate and multivariate models were used.

Result: All the hepatic diameters, area and sectional volume demonstrated significant differences in both birth weight percentile ⩾75 and ⩾90. All ROC curves showed significant values. A significant association was observed for all measurements with birth weight. In multivariate model, liver area volume gave significant values for predicting birth weight. Cord leptin, c-peptide and ferritin were related to fetal hepatic size.

Conclusion: The hepatic changes in gestational diabetes were valid to predict birth weight and metabolic changes at birth.