Measuring the rate of fetal urine production using three-dimensional ultrasound during normal pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To establish a nomogram of fetal urine production according to gestational age as a predictor for fetal well-being in normal and diabetic women.

Study design: Prospective observational study included 180 pregnant women classified into two groups: Group I (120 women) without any medical complications and Group II (60 women) with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The fetal bladder is measured by the virtual organ computer-aided analysis VOCAL 3D ultrasound scanner.

Results: There was a significant positive correlation between gestational age and fetal urine production rate (UPR) (the mean UPR rate in normal pregnancy at 25, 30, 35, 40 weeks were 12.3, 14.38, 56.13 and 90.73 ml/h, respectively). There was no significant difference regarding UPR ml/h between women with normal pregnancy and those with controlled GDM (p = 0.9). There was a statistically significant difference regarding UPR ml/h between women with normal pregnancy and those with uncontrolled GDM (p = 0.012) and a statistically significant difference between women with controlled GDM and those with uncontrolled GDM (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Fetal UPR is considered to be more reliable as an assessment method for fetal well-being and shows significant increase in patients with uncontrolled gestational DM.

• 3D Ultrasound
• bladder volume
• fetal urine production
• gestational diabetes mellitus