Vol 85, No 11 (2014)
ARTICLES
Ultrasound measurements of umbilical cord transverse area in normal pregnancies and
pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus
Marek Pietryga, Jacek Brązert, Ewa Wender-Ożegowska, Agnieszka Zawiejska, Maciej Brązert, Mariusz Dubiel, Saemundur Gudmundsson
DOI: 10.17772/gp/1905
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Ginekol Pol 2014;85(11).
Vol 85, No 11 (2014)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Objective: A voluminous umbilical cord has been described in diabetic pregnancies. The aim of this study was to see if measurements of cord diameters might be of value in the evaluation of diabetic pregnancies and especially those suspected of a large for gestational age (LGA) fetus. Methods: In an observational, prospective study, umbilical cord areas and vessel diameters were measured between gestational age of 22 and 40 weeks in transverse ultrasound images of the central part of the cord in 141 normal and 135 diabetic pregnancies of which 30 were suspected of being LGA. Wharton’s jelly area was calculated by subtracting the vessel area from the total transverse cord area. Normal reference curves were constructed
for gestational age. Results: Umbilical cord and Wharton’s jelly areas increased with gestation. The vessel area leveled out at 32-33 weeks of gestation and the umbilical vein area decreased after 36 weeks of gestation. The umbilical cord parameters in diabetic pregnancies did not differ from controls. Cord areas were enlarged in 1/3 of the LGA fetuses.
Conclusion: Umbilical cord area measurements are of limited value for the evaluation of diabetic pregnancies suspected having a LGA-fetus.
Abstract
Objective: A voluminous umbilical cord has been described in diabetic pregnancies. The aim of this study was to see if measurements of cord diameters might be of value in the evaluation of diabetic pregnancies and especially those suspected of a large for gestational age (LGA) fetus. Methods: In an observational, prospective study, umbilical cord areas and vessel diameters were measured between gestational age of 22 and 40 weeks in transverse ultrasound images of the central part of the cord in 141 normal and 135 diabetic pregnancies of which 30 were suspected of being LGA. Wharton’s jelly area was calculated by subtracting the vessel area from the total transverse cord area. Normal reference curves were constructed
for gestational age. Results: Umbilical cord and Wharton’s jelly areas increased with gestation. The vessel area leveled out at 32-33 weeks of gestation and the umbilical vein area decreased after 36 weeks of gestation. The umbilical cord parameters in diabetic pregnancies did not differ from controls. Cord areas were enlarged in 1/3 of the LGA fetuses.
Conclusion: Umbilical cord area measurements are of limited value for the evaluation of diabetic pregnancies suspected having a LGA-fetus.
Keywords
umbilical artery / umbilical vein / gestational diabetes / pregestational diabetes / fetal growth / LGA
Title
Ultrasound measurements of umbilical cord transverse area in normal pregnancies and
pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 85, No 11 (2014)
Page views
2191
Article views/downloads
932
DOI
10.17772/gp/1905
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2014;85(11).
Keywords
umbilical artery / umbilical vein / gestational diabetes / pregestational diabetes / fetal growth / LGA
Authors
Marek Pietryga
Jacek Brązert
Ewa Wender-Ożegowska
Agnieszka Zawiejska
Maciej Brązert
Mariusz Dubiel
Saemundur Gudmundsson
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