Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study

Fırat Ersan; Verda Alpay; Kübra Kurt Bilirer; Barış Boza; Hakan Erenel

doi:10.47582/jompac.1873615

Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: To assess the effects of maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal organ development through ultrasonographic assessment of pancreatic circumference, liver length, and subcutaneous fat thickness in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PreGDM), and normal pregnancies. A secondary objective is to evaluate the fetal pancreas-to-liver ratio as a novel marker of the relative effects of maternal diabetes on different organs. Methods: This prospective comparative study included 126 pregnant women divided into three groups: GDM (n=42), PreGDM (n=42), and control (n=42). Ultrasonographic measurements of fetal pancreatic circumference, liver length, and subcutaneous fat thickness were obtained between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Maternal demographic characteristics and birth parameters were collected from all participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance for detecting GDM. Results: Significant differences were observed in all fetal organ measurements between diabetic and control groups. Fetal pancreatic circumference was increased in both GDM (90.8±19.2 mm) and PreGDM (90.4±17.0 mm) compared to controls (81.0±9.8 mm, p=0.007). Fetal liver length showed a significant increase in GDM (53.4±12.2 mm) and PreGDM (51.2±9.6 mm) versus controls (44.5±5.6 mm, p<0.001). Fetal fat thickness demonstrated the most dramatic differences: GDM (5.3±1.1 mm) and PDM (4.8±1.1 mm) versus controls (3.7±0.7 mm, p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed high diagnostic performance for fat thickness (sensitivity=85%, specificity=79%). Conclusion: Maternal diabetes mellitus significantly affects fetal organ development, with consistent enlargement across multiple organ systems. Fetal subcutaneous fat thickness measurement shows high diagnostic potential for GDM screening, offering a valuable adjunct to traditional screening methods.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None none

Ethical Statement

The study was initiated with the approval of Çam and Sakura City Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (approval number: 2025/95).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Fırat Ersan ^*
0000-0001-5337-0169
Türkiye

Verda Alpay
0000-0002-5937-0220
Türkiye

Kübra Kurt Bilirer
0000-0001-8204-2375
Türkiye

Barış Boza
0000-0002-3831-3745
Türkiye

Hakan Erenel
0000-0001-7583-5385
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

January 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1873615

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57XH47EZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ersan, F., Alpay, V., Kurt Bilirer, K., Boza, B., & Erenel, H. (2026). Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(2), 225-231. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1873615

AMA

1.Ersan F, Alpay V, Kurt Bilirer K, Boza B, Erenel H. Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(2):225-231. doi:10.47582/jompac.1873615

Chicago

Ersan, Fırat, Verda Alpay, Kübra Kurt Bilirer, Barış Boza, and Hakan Erenel. 2026. “Fetal Pancreatic, Hepatic, and Adipose Tissue Measurements in Maternal Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (2): 225-31. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1873615.

EndNote

Ersan F, Alpay V, Kurt Bilirer K, Boza B, Erenel H (March 1, 2026) Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 2 225–231.

IEEE

[1]F. Ersan, V. Alpay, K. Kurt Bilirer, B. Boza, and H. Erenel, “Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 225–231, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1873615.

ISNAD

Ersan, Fırat - Alpay, Verda - Kurt Bilirer, Kübra - Boza, Barış - Erenel, Hakan. “Fetal Pancreatic, Hepatic, and Adipose Tissue Measurements in Maternal Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/2 (March 1, 2026): 225-231. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1873615.

JAMA

1.Ersan F, Alpay V, Kurt Bilirer K, Boza B, Erenel H. Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:225–231.

MLA

Ersan, Fırat, et al. “Fetal Pancreatic, Hepatic, and Adipose Tissue Measurements in Maternal Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 225-31, doi:10.47582/jompac.1873615.

Vancouver

1.Fırat Ersan, Verda Alpay, Kübra Kurt Bilirer, Barış Boza, Hakan Erenel. Fetal pancreatic, hepatic, and adipose tissue measurements in maternal diabetes mellitus: an observational cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Mar. 1;7(2):225-31. doi:10.47582/jompac.1873615