Fetal Lung Volume and Pulmonary Artery Resistance Index Measurement in Term Diabetic Pregnancy

Fetal Lung Volume and Pulmonary Artery Resistance Index Measurement in Term Diabetic Pregnancy and Their Correlation With Neonatal Outcome: a Pilot Study

The aim of this study is to determine cut-off values for fetal lung volume by VOCAL and pulmonary artery resistance index by pulsed Doppler in fetuses of diabetic mothers, and correlate the results with postnatal respiratory distress of the term neonates.

Research question:

Can the assessment of fetal lung volume by Virtual Organ Computed-aided Analysis (VOCAL) and pulmonary artery resistance index by pulsed Doppler predict neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in term fetuses of diabetic mothers?

Research hypothesis:

The assessment of fetal lung volume by VOCAL and pulmonary artery resistance index by pulsed Doppler can predict neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in term fetuses of diabetic mothers.

Inclusion Criteria:

-Diabetic pregnant women 38 weeks gestation admitted for elective termination due to various obstetric indications

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Twins.
2. Pregnancy complicated by medical disorders other than Diabetes Mellitus (hypertension, pre-eclampsia, cardiac disorders, thyroid disorders, anemia with pregnancy...etc).
3. Autoimmune disorders.
4. Congenital fetal anomalies.
5. Macrosomia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
6. Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
7. Amniotic fluid index <5cm or >20cm.
8. Patients taking steroids within one week of measurement of lung volume.