Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: PURPOSE: The fetal liver plays a crucial role in growth, with the hepatic artery (HA) supplying 10% of its blood to the liver. The role of HA in fetal growth and pregnancy complications is underexplored. This study investigates HA Doppler in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its relationship with HbA1c, comparing results to healthy pregnancies. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included 63 pregnant women (30 insulin-treated GDM, 33 without GDM) between 32 and 36 weeks gestation (Figure 1). Doppler of the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), ductus venosus (DV), and HA was performed by a high-risk pregnancy specialist. RESULTS: Demographics and lab parameters were similar across groups. GDM cases had higher HA peak systolic velocity (PSV) and lower pulsatility index (PI) versus controls. HA PSV positively correlated with HbA1c. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a link between GDM and HA Doppler changes. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the implications of these changes on prenatal development.
Source: Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
DOI: 10.1002/jcu.24027
Authors: Tugce Tunc Acar, Leyla Asker, Hande Kurt Guven, Gozde Yasemin Kurt, Can Ozan Ulusoy, Elif Yilmaz, Zehra Vural Yilmaz
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4409587747