FETAL LIVER LENGTH IN DIABETIC PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate whether liver size is incre ased in the fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes and whether there is any relationship between fetal liver size and maternal glycemic cen tral. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty pregnant women with diabetes had ultrasonog raphic measurement of fetal liver length made at 18, 28, and 36 weeks' gestation. Twenty-four obese, nondiabetic women were studied at 36 we eks as controls. RESULTS: Fetal liver length measurements were signifi cantly greater than normal by 18 weeks' gestation (12% above normal me an values, p < 0.001) and increased further (19%, p < 0.02) by 36 week s. In the obese controls liver length was increased 9% and was signifi cantly lower than in the diabetic subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: F etal liver size is increased in pregnant women with diabetes and canno t be explained solely by maternal obesity. The major increase in liver size occurs early in pregnancy but appears to be modifiable by glycem ic control later in gestation.