Highlights
- Fetus of mother with diabetes is exposed to high blood sugar levels.
- Fetuses of diabetic mothers had reduced proportion of blood flow to the brain than the placenta
- Standard obstetric recommendations for strict glucose control and healthy lifestyle should be continued.
- 14 fetuses of mothers with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- 16 fetuses of mothers without diabetes i.e. control group
- 9 of the diabetic mothers used insulin
- Three took oral medications
- Two made few diet modification to control blood glucose levels
The data was transferred to a computerized model that mimicked the fetal circulation. The model was developed by Dr Patricia Garcia-Canadilla in the Physense research laboratory of Dr Bart Bijnens at the University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
The reason for blood flow to the placenta could be:
Diabetic mothers have changes in their blood vessels and are known to be large and therefore likely to receive more blood supply.
Dr Kulkarni said: "The computational model equivalent of the fetal circulation is an electrical circuit where there are resistances and compliances. It is easier for blood to flow to the placenta, and harder for blood to flow to the brain."
She concluded: "At the present time, I don't think any changes should be made in management of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus based on these findings."
The annual meeting of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), is held 7 to 10 December 2016 in Leipzig, Germany.
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Women may have diabetes during pregnancy in 2 ways
- Women have type 1 diabetes before their pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes (High blood sugar starts or first diagnosed during pregnancy); according to CDC the prevalence of gestational diabetes is as high as 9.2%
The infant is more likely to have hypoglycemia (periods of low blood sugar) shortly after birth and during the few days of life.
Mothers with uncontrolled/poorly controlled diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage or stillborn child.
Infants of mothers with diabetes are at an increased risk of birth defects.
References
- What is Gestational Diabetes? - ( http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html)
- Infant of Diabetic Mother - (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001597.htm)
Source-Medindia