Structural and functional features of placentas in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus after in vitro fertilization

Introduction. With in vitro fertilization becoming more common, studying its effect and the influence of gestational diabetes mellitus on the structural and functional features of placentas has become relevant. The research investigated morphological features of placentas in gestational diabetes mellitus after in vitro fertilization, depending on treatment modalities for diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods. The morphological study included 63 placentas: 41 placentas from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (29 of them were treated with diet therapy and 12 underwent insulin therapy) and 22 placentas from patients without gestational diabetes mellitus. All pregnancies were full-term singleton conceived through in vitro fertilization. The research included macroscopic and microscopic examination of placentas according to the 2014 international classification of placental lesions. Statistical analysis was performed in R version 4.4.2 using standard software packages. Results. Placental mass in the gestational diabetes mellitus group was significantly lower than that in the comparison group (p=0.031). When studying the morphological features of the placenta in patients from both groups, we found no statistically significant differences. Assessment of placental mass on the percentile scale of Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology indicated that gestational diabetes mellitus treated with insulin was associated with an increased risk of high placental mass. Conclusion. No significant differences in placental structures were observed in gestational diabetes mellitus according to treatment modality. Normal placental functioning was ensured through timely detection, appropriate treatment adjustments, and interdisciplinary medical supervision. Thus, the patients developed no perinatal complications. Keywords: placenta, gestational diabetes mellitus, in vitro fertilization