Doppler umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms in diabetic pregnancy

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Abstract
Objective To assess the effect of uncomplicated diabetes on umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms (FVWs); to investigate the relation between glycaemic control and FVWs and the predictive value of umbilical artery FVWs for antenatal fetal compromise. Design Prospective descriptive study. Setting A large diabetic pregnancy clinic in a teaching hospital. Subjects 128 pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus. 170 non diabetic women with no pre‐existing or pregnancy complications. Interventions In diabetic pregnancies, umbilical artery resistance index (RI) Doppler recordings and glycosylated haemoglobin were measured every 2 weeks from 28 weeks. Main outcome measures Umbilical artery RI and antenatal fetal compromise defined as a non reactive, decelerative cardiotocograph and/or a biophysical profile score persistently <6 and leading to immediate caesarean section. Results Uncomplicated diabetic pregnancies had FVW values similar to those in the non‐diabetic range. Glycaemic control was unrelated to umbilical artery FVW values. Abnormal umbilical artery RI was found in nine pregnancies, these were more likely to show evidence of fetal compromise and to be associated with birth weights of <50th centile. In seven pregnancies there was evidence of fetal compromise, but only three of these pregnancies had abnormal FVW values. Conclusions The non‐diabetic range of umbilical artery RI values is appropriate for diabetic pregnancies. Long‐term glycaemic control, within the range in this study, does not seem to affect umbilical artery RI. Abnormal umbilical artery RI is a significant predictor of fetal compromise in diabetic pregnancy, but fetal compromise can occur in association with normal RI values. Undue reliance should not be placed on normal FVW values in diabetic pregnancies.