Fetal heart rate and umbilical artery velocity variability in pregnancies complicated by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Objectives To examine the variability in fetal heart rate and absolute flow velocity, which are possible hemodynamic markers of cardiovascular homeost asis in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus. Methods Doppler studies of umbilical artery velocity waveforms were perform ed at 12-21 weeks of gestation in 16 women with well-controlled type 1 (ins ulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. From umbilical artery velocity waveforms of at least 13 s in duration, we determined absolute values and beat-to-be at variability and compared these findings with normal controls matched for gestational age. Results Fetuses of diabetic women displayed increased fetal heart rate vari ability and umbilical artery peak systolic velocity. Fetal heart rate, umbi lical artery time-averaged velocity and variability in umbilical artery flo w velocity were not essentially different between the two groups. Conclusion Fetal heart rate variability and umbilical artery peak systolic velocity may be markers for fetal cardiovascular homeostasis in pregnancies complicated by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.