The role of ultrasound in the prediction of GDM in early pregnancy

Background In order to detect the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women as soon as possible, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of ultrasound in predicting GDM at early pregnancy by measuring the thickness of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.Methods and MaterialsThis was a longitudinal study performed on pregnant women at the weeks of 11 to 14 of pregnancy. All the women referred during this time were screened for the thickness of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, which was measured by trans-abdominal ultrasound. The patients were followed up by performing the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between the weeks of 24-28. Finally, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and other variables were compared between women with and without GDM. Oral consent was obtained from patients.Results210 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The mean of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was measured by ultrasound as 1.72 ± 0.33 mm. There was a statistically significant relationship between GDM and ultrasound-derived subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (P <0.0001). At the cut-off point of 2.01, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve (AUC) values were 91%, 92%, and 0.96, respectively.ConclusionMeasuring the thickness of the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue at early pregnancy may be useful in predicting GDM in the second trimester of pregnancy. Maternal higher age and weight gain, increased parity, and positive family histories of diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, and recurrent abortion may also increase the risk of GDM.