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Increased fetal epicardial fat thickness; a reflecting finding for GDM and perinatal outcomes
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  • Kadriye Yakut,
  • Cantekin İskender,
  • Murat Levent Dereli,
  • Erkan Sağlam,
  • Şevki Çelen,
  • Turhan Çağlar,
  • Yaprak Üstün
Kadriye Yakut
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi

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Cantekin İskender
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Murat Levent Dereli
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Erkan Sağlam
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Şevki Çelen
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Turhan Çağlar
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Yaprak Üstün
Ankara Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Kadin Hastaliklari Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi
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Abstract

Objective: To study the value of fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in gestational diabetes mellitus in the third trimester of pregnancy and its relationship with clinical parameters and perinatal outcomes. Methods: A total of 80 participants, including 40 with diagnosed GDM and 40 healthy pregnant women, were included in the study. Demographic data were obtained from medical records. Sonographic examinations were performed, such as amniotic fluid value, fetal biometric measurements, and Doppler parameters of the umbilical artery. Fetal EFT values were measured at the free wall of the right ventricle using a reference line with echocardiographic methods. Correlation tests were performed to evaluate the relationship between fetal EFT and clinical and perinatal parameters. P < 0.05 were interpreted as statistically significant. Results: The fetal EFT value was statistically higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p:0.000). Spearman correlation tests revealed statistically significant but weak positive correlations between fetal EFT value, 1-hour 100-gr OGTT, birth weight, and BMI (r: 0.198, p:0.047; r:0.395, p:0.012; r:0.360, p:0.042, respectively). The optimal fetal EFT threshold for predicting GDM disease was found as 1.55 mm, with a specificity of 74.4% and sensitivity of 75.0%. Statistically significant differences between the two groups in umbilical artery Doppler resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) were not found (p:0.337; p:0.503; p:0.155;). BMI and amniotic fluid volume were higher in the GDM group compared to the control group (p:0.009; p:0.000). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that increased fetal EFT may occur as a reflection of changes in glucose metabolism in intrauterine life. Future studies with larger series, including the study of neonatal metabolic parameters, will contribute to the understanding of the importance of fetal EFT in determining the metabolic status of the fetus.
28 Mar 2022Submitted to Echocardiography
29 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
29 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
02 Apr 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
01 May 20221st Revision Received
05 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
05 May 2022Assigned to Editor
06 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 May 20222nd Revision Received
26 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
26 May 2022Assigned to Editor
26 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Accept