Abstract
We have shown previously that infants with single umbilical arteries (SUA) have various cardiovascular malformations with fatal outcomes. We recently experienced another infant with SUA, which was diagnosed antenatally by ultrasonography.
The mother was obese and had a history of glucosuria during pregnancy. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 12 weeks of gestation revealed gestational diabetes. She did not maintain diet therapy. At 35 weeks of gestation, SUA was diagnosed by ultrasonography. The mother was admitted to our hospital and a 75-g OGTT showed a diabetic pattern. Since her body weight was over 45% obese, a 1, 200 kcal diet was initiated. Dialy profiles showed almost normal levels of blood glucose and slightly higher levels of ketone bodies. It was noteworthy that the ketone bodies increased after meals.
She gave birth one month earlier than expectd. The infant had no complications or malformations. SUA was confirmed by macroscopic and microscopic findings. An OGTT repeated one month post partum indicated that the mother had diabetes.
This case suggests that antenatal diagnosis of infants of mothers with gestational diabetes is necessary, and that obese pregnant women must be carefully followed during and after pregnancy.
