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Journals / Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study

Fırat Ersan(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KADIN HASTALIKLARI VE DOĞUM ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0001-5337-0169
Verda Alpay(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KADIN HASTALIKLARI VE DOĞUM ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0002-5937-0220
Kübra Kurt Bilirer(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KADIN HASTALIKLARI VE DOĞUM ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0001-8204-2375
Barış Boza(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KADIN HASTALIKLARI VE DOĞUM ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0002-3831-3745
Hakan Erenel(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR ÇAM VE SAKURA ŞEHİR SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KADIN HASTALIKLARI VE DOĞUM ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0001-7583-5385
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Fetal subcutaneous fat thickness measurement shows high diagnostic potential for GDM screening, offering a valuable adjunct to traditional screening methods.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: To assess the effects of maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal organ development through ultrasonographic assessment of pancreatic circumference, liver length, and subcutaneous fat thickness in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PreGDM), and normal pregnancies.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This prospective comparative study included 126 pregnant women divided into three groups: GDM (n=42), PreGDM (n=42), and control (n=42).
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Conclusion & Impact:Fetal subcutaneous fat thickness measurement shows high diagnostic potential for GDM screening, offering a valuable adjunct to traditional screening methods.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Gestational diabetes mellitus · pregestational diabetes mellitus · fetal pancreas

Abstract

Aims: To assess the effects of maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal organ development through ultrasonographic assessment of pancreatic circumference, liver length, and subcutaneous fat thickness in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PreGDM), and normal pregnancies. A secondary objective is to evaluate the fetal pancreas-to-liver ratio as a novel marker of the relative effects of maternal diabetes on different organs. Methods: This prospective comparative study included 126 pregnant women divided into three groups: GDM (n=42), PreGDM (n=42), and control (n=42). Ultrasonographic measurements of fetal pancreatic circumference, liver length, and subcutaneous fat thickness were obtained between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Maternal demographic characteristics and birth parameters were collected from all participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance for detecting GDM. Results: Significant differences were observed in all fetal organ measurements between diabetic and control groups. Fetal pancreatic circumference was increased in both GDM (90.8±19.2 mm) and PreGDM (90.4±17.0 mm) compared to controls (81.0±9.8 mm, p=0.007). Fetal liver length showed a significant increase in GDM (53.4±12.2 mm) and PreGDM (51.2±9.6 mm) versus controls (44.5±5.6 mm, p<0.001). Fetal fat thickness demonstrated the most dramatic differences: GDM (5.3±1.1 mm) and PDM (4.8±1.1 mm) versus controls (3.7±0.7 mm, p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed high diagnostic performance for fat thickness (sensitivity=85%, specificity=79%). Conclusion: Maternal diabetes mellitus significantly affects fetal organ development, with consistent enlargement across multiple organ systems. Fetal subcutaneous fat thickness measurement shows high diagnostic potential for GDM screening, offering a valuable adjunct to traditional screening methods.

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Cite This Article

Ersan, F., Alpay, V., Bilirer, K. K., Boza, B., Erenel, H. (2026). Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, Volume: 7 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1873615

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