Mothers with diabetes have bigger babies, says study
A recent research conducted by the European Society of Cardiology has
found that blood flows preferentially to the placenta instead of the brain in
fetuses of mothers with diabetes, hence increasing the size of the infant. ‘We
know that maternal diabetes mellitus
affects the fetal organs,’ said lead author of the study, Aparna Kulkarni.
Adding, babies born to mothers with diabetes are sometimes bigger, especially
if the diabetes is uncontrolled, and the placenta is larger. There is data to
suggest that some other organs such as the pancreas and the kidneys in the
foetus might be affected.’ Kulkarni’s previous research identified subclinical
changes in the heart muscle of foetuses of mothers with diabetes. In the
current study she investigated whether these foetuses had changes in blood
circulation.
The study included 14 foetuses of mothers with type 1 or 2 diabetes and
16 foetuses of mothers without diabetes (control group). Nine of the diabetic
mothers used insulin, three took oral medications, and two used diet alone to
control their glucose levels. The researchers used foetal Doppler
echocardiography to measure blood flow to the brain, the left and right outflow
tracts of the heart, the aorta and the placenta. The data was plugged into a
computerized model, developed by Patricia Garcia-Canadilla that mimics the
fetal circulation. This research found that, compared to fetuses in the control
group, in fetuses of diabetic mothers more blood flowed to the placenta and was
diverted away from the brain. Specifically, fetuses of diabetic mothers had
lower placental resistance and compliance, lower blood flow to the arteries in
the brain (measured from the cerebral artery radius), a reduced proportion of
blood flow to the brain than the placenta and a lower cardiac output.
Kulkarni said: ‘The computational model equivalent of the fetal
circulation is an electrical circuit where there are resistances and
compliances. It is easier for blood to flow to the placenta, and harder for
blood to flow to the brain.’ Adding, the placenta in fetuses of diabetic
mothers have changes in their blood vessels and are known to be large;
therefore likely receive more blood supply. But she added that the lower
proportion of blood supplying the brain is an interesting finding and could
have bigger implications. ‘The placenta gets taken away after a baby is born so
it’s no longer a part of the circulation,’ she said.
12.12.2016
The
only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision
Helen Keller
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