A Survey on the Relationship Between Fetal Heart Rate in the First Trimester and Gestational Diabetes

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can complicate pregnancy. Ultrasound examination of the fetal heart rate (FHR) is essential to routine pregnancy care. Several studies have reported the effect of GDM on FHR. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between FHR in the first trimester and GDM. Methods: This cohort study was conducted on 214 pregnant women. The FHR of all fetuses was measured once in the first and second trimesters after a glucose challenge test (GCT). Based on the GCT, all pregnant women were divided into two groups (GDM and healthy). The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 to investigate the relationship between GDM and the first-trimester FHR. Results: The mean FHR of the first trimester in GDM and healthy pregnant women was 164.38 ± 7.20 and 164.25 ± 7.43, respectively (P = 0.930). After GCT, the mean FHR in GDM and healthy pregnant women was 144.97 ± 7.60 and 146.65 ± 8.71, respectively (P = 0.326). The FHR in the first trimester and after GCT in GDM and healthy pregnant women were not significantly different. The logistic regression results showed that FHR cannot predict GDM. Conclusions: Based on the results, the fetus’s heart rate cannot be used to predict gestational diabetes.