Splenic Artery Doppler Waveforms in Gestational Diabetes and Association with Fetal Pancreas: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Introduction: This study evaluated fetal pancreas size and echogenicity, and splenic artery (SA) waveforms in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: This prospective case-control study was performed from October 2022 to November 2023 and included 124 pregnant women (62 with GDM and 62 controls). Pancreatic circumference, pancreatic echogenicity, umbilical artery Doppler measurements (systolic/diastolic ratio [S/D] and pulsatility index [PI]), SA Doppler measurements (S/D, PI, peak systolic velocity [PSV], time-averaged maximum velocity, and pressure gradient [PG] mean and maximum) values were compared between the GDM and control groups. Results: The mean pancreatic circumference was higher and grade 2/3 echogenicity was more common in the GDM group, while grade 1 echogenicity was more common in the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). SA S/D and PI measurements were significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, PG_max was significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p = 0.038). Pancreatic circumference was positively correlated with SA PSV (p = 0.004). Additionally, pancreatic circumference was positively correlated with PG_mean and PG_max (p = 0.010 and p = 0.016, respectively). The increase in pancreas echogenicity was positively correlated with SA S/D and PI measurements (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). PG_max was also positively correlated with increased pancreas echogenicity (p = 0.023). Conclusion: This study showed that fetal pancreas size and echogenicity were significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM than in controls. SA Doppler waveforms were consistent with an increase in vascular resistance associated with elevations of both S/D and PI in the GDM group.