Increased fetal epicardial fat thickness: A reflecting finding for GDM and perinatal outcomes

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 < .05 were interpreted as statistically significant. Results:The fetal EFT value was statistically higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p: .000). Spearman and Pearson correlation tests revealed statistically significant but weak positive correlations between fetal EFT value, 1-h 100-g OGTT,

Fetal epicardial fat thickness in non‐severe idiopathic polyhydramnios: Its impact on fetal cardiac function and perinatal outcomes

“…Aydın et al showed that EFT (cutoff: 0.95 mm) can be a marker in the prediction of GDM before 24 weeks and that it is correlated with HBA1c values 19 . Similarly, İskender et al reported that EFT was high in pregnant women with GDM and the 1.55 mm value was a predictive value in the third trimester 20 . Aydin et al reported that the EFT cutoff value could be used at 1.38 mm to predict LGA fetuses.…”

“…19 Similarly, _ Iskender et al reported that EFT was high in pregnant women with GDM and the 1.55 mm value was a predictive value in the third trimester. 20 Aydin et al…”

Is a fetal epicardial fat thickness a proxy of cardiac function?

“…More recently fetal EFT has been proposed as a predictive marker for conditions such as gestational diabetes, macrosomia, pre‐eclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. There are evidences that fetal EFT is increased in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes 6,7 and large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses 8,9 . On the other hand, EFT seems to be reduced in fetuses with growth restriction, 10 and these findings could be related to a change in fetal catecholamine levels caused by the metabolic stress.…”

“…There are evidences that fetal EFT is increased in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes 6,7 and large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses. 8,9 On the other hand, EFT seems to be reduced in fetuses with growth restriction, 10 and these findings could be related to a change in fetal catecholamine levels caused by the metabolic stress.…”