First trimester placental volume and vascular indices in pregestational diabetic compared to nondiabetic pregnant women

Aim Comparing placental volume (PV) and vascular indices in pregestational diabetic and nondiabetic pregnant women at 11 and 13 weeks gestation. Methods A case–control study conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital in collaboration with Feto‐maternal Unit for Ultrasound Assessment, Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt. Ninety‐two pregnant women divided into two groups: Group A included 46 women with pregestational diabetes mellitus and group B included 46 nondiabetic pregnant women as control. All participants had PV, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) calculated using three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and 3D power Doppler at 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Results At 11 weeks, the mean VI, FI and VFI in diabetic group (17.70 ± 12.62, 40.72 ± 11.03 and 7.77 ± 6.37, respectively) were insignificantly higher than in nondiabetic group (12.14 ± 12.62, 34.59 ± 9.66 and 6.52 ± 14.20, respectively) while mean PV in diabetic group (26.90 ± 14.74) was insignificantly lower than in nondiabetic group (27.53 ± 17.46). Also at 13 weeks, the results were not different as the mean VI, FI and VFI in diabetic group (16.51 ± 9.81, 42.52 ± 7.47 and 8.12 ± 7.55, respectively) were insignificantly higher than in nondiabetic group (16.37 ± 14.17, 40.29 ± 17.52 and 7.08 ± 4.35, respectively), and mean PV in diabetic group (52.04 ± 17.95) was insignificantly lower than in nondiabetic group (54.46 ± 17.85). There was strong positive correlation between HbA1C level and VFI measured at 13 weeks gestation. Conclusions Placental indices in early pregnancy do not seem to be useful markers to anticipate placental pathology in pregestational diabetes, however there might be a role for HbA1C level measurement to anticipate such complications.