%0 Journal Article
%T Can diabetes influence fetal thymus size during pregnancy?
%A Sinaci S
%A Sahin D
%J J Obstet Gynaecol Res
%V 49
%N 6
%D Jun 2023 3
%M 37012692
%F 1.697
%R 10.1111/jog.15646
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of the study was to evaluate fetal thymus size by sonography in diabetic pregnancies and its relationship with diabetes type.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In this prospectively designed case-control study, fetal thymus transverse diameter and circumference of the fetal thymus were measured. Also, TTR (thymic-thoracic ratio) was assessed in 288 healthy and 105 diabetic pregnancies. Patients were divided into subgroups as diet-controlled gestational diabetes (GDMA1, n = 40), insulin-dependent (GDMA2, n = 42), and pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM, n = 23). GDM was diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation with a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Measurements were compared to the healthy control group. Pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction determined which type of diabetes was independently associated with a small fetal thymus.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>All 3 maternal diabetes categories had smaller fetal thymus size than controls (p < 0.05). TTR were lowest in PGDM (p < 0.05).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Gestational diabetes is associated with smaller fetal thymus size. Pregestational diabetes may be associated with a smaller fetal thymus compared to diet-controlled GDM. Also, the thymus size may be even smaller in those with poor blood glucose regulation.