First trimester placental volume and three dimensional power doppler ultrasonography in type I diabetic pregnancies

Objective This study aimed to investigate the placental volume and three dimensional (3D) power Doppler vascularization in type I diabetic pregnancies during the first trimester Methods 3D-power Doppler ultrasonography of the placenta was performed at 11?+?013?+?6?weeks in 32 pregnancies complicated by type I diabetes. Placental volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated using a standardized setting. Results In nine pregnancies, a poor first trimester glycemic control was present as expressed by HbA1c levels?=?7%, whereas in the remaining 23 mothers, the HbA1c concentrations were <7%. No differences were found in the placental volumes of diabetic mothers when compared with reference limits. 3D Doppler placental vascular indices were significantly higher in diabetic mothers (VI delta value 0.99, p?=?0.0012; FI delta value 0.64, p?=?0.0008; VFI delta value 1.28, p?=?0.0039) when compared with reference limits. Pregnancies with HbA1c =7% exhibited higher placental vascular indices when compared with diabetic mothers with better glycemic control. Conclusions In type I diabetic mothers, placental vascular indices are increased and these modifications are more evident in pregnancies with poor first trimester glycemic control. (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.