ABSTRACT
In this prospective study, we examined the effect of maternal glycemic control on
fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by pregestational diabetes. One hundred and
sixty-five pregestational diabetic pregnancies were studied with serial ultrasound
scans and fetal growth was examined as a function of maternal glycemic control. There
was a significant, although small, reduction in fetal biparietal diameter growth rate
in the presence of poor maternal glycemic control during the first half of the pregnancy.
In the second half of pregnancy, maternal hyperglycemia contributed to fetal macrosomia.
We conclude that in pregnancies with pregestational diabetes, maternal hyperglycemia
affects fetal growth in a biphasic manner. As a result of that, although babies born
to diabetic mothers appear of relatively overall normal size and weight, they may
have smaller heads than their potential and more fat.
Keywords
Pregestational diabetes mellitus - fetal growth - glycemic control
