Doppler velocimetry measurement in pregnancy complicated with diabetes mellitus]

To evaluate the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on fetoplacental circulation, Doppler velocimetry was carried out in diabetic pregnant women (n = 21) and normal pregnant controls (n = 20) every 2 weeks from the 20th week of gestation till term. Blood flow wave form of umbilical artery (Um) and uterine artery (Ut) were measured and the systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) of Um and Ut calculated. The results showed that the Um and Ut S/D ratio of diabetic mothers with AGA babies (n = 15) and normal controls were not different. The S/D ratio of diabetic women with LGA newborns (n = 6) elevated after the 30th week of gestation, and the time of elevation was in accordance with the accelerating growth stage of LGA fetus. It is suggested that the elevation of S/D ratio may be related to the increasing requirement of blood supply for LGA babies in DM mother.