Improving systems of care during and after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia: A protocol for a complex health systems intervention.

BACKGROUND: Many women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy do not receive care during and after pregnancy according to standards recommended in international guidelines. The burden of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy falls disproportionately upon Indigenous peoples worldwide, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. The remote and regional Australian context poses additional barriers to delivering healthcare, including high staff turnover and a socially disadvantaged population with a high prevalence of diabetes. METHODS: A complex health systems intervention to improve care for women during and after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia will be implemented in remote and regional Australia (the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland). The Theoretical Domains Framework was used during formative work with stakeholders to identify intervention components: (1) increasing workforce capacity, skills and knowledge and improving health literacy of health professionals and women; (2) improving access to healthcare through culturally and clinically appropriate pathways; (3) improving information management and communication; (4) enhancing policies and guidelines; (5) embedding use of a clinical register as a quality improvement tool. The intervention will be evaluated utilising the RE-AIM framework at two timepoints: firstly, a qualitative interim evaluation involving interviews with stakeholders (health professionals, champions and project implementers); and subsequently a mixed-methods final evaluation of outcomes and processes: interviews with stakeholders; survey of health professionals; an audit of electronic health records and clinical register; and a review of operational documents. Outcome measures include changes between pre- and post-intervention in: proportion of high risk women receiving recommended glucose screening in early pregnancy; diabetes-related birth outcomes; proportion of women receiving recommended postpartum care including glucose testing; health practitioner confidence in providing care, knowledge and use of relevant guidelines and referral pathways, and perception of care coordination and communication systems; changes to health systems including referral pathways and clinical guidelines. DISCUSSION: This study will provide insights into the impact of health systems changes in improving care for women with hyperglycaemia during and after pregnancy in a challenging setting. It will also provide detailed information on process measures in the implementation of such health system changes.

Diabetes care in remote Australia: the antenatal, postpartum and inter-pregnancy period.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience high rates of diabetes in pregnancy (DIP), contributing to health risks for mother and infant, and the intergenerational cycle of diabetes. By enhancing diabetes management during pregnancy, postpartum and the interval between pregnancies, the DIP Partnership aims to improve health outcomes and reduce risks early in the life-course. We describe a mixed methods formative study of health professional's perspectives of antenatal and post-partum diabetes screening and management, including enablers and barriers to care. METHODS: Health professionals involved in providing diabetes care in pregnancy, from a range of health services across the Northern Territory, completed the survey (n = 82) and/or took part in interviews and/or focus groups (n = 62). RESULTS: Qualitative findings highlighted factors influencing the delivery of care as reported by health professionals, including: whose responsibility it is, access to care, the baby is the focus and pre-conception care. The main challenges were related to: disjointed systems and confusion around whose role it is to provide follow-up care beyond six weeks post-partum. Quantitative findings indicated that the majority of health professionals reported confidence in their own skills to manage women in the antenatal period (62%, 40/79) and slightly lower rates of confidence in the postpartum interval (57%, 33/58). CONCLUSION: These findings regarding whose role it is to provide postpartum care, along with opportunities to improve communication pathways and follow up care have informed the design of a complex health intervention to improve health systems and the provision of DIP related care.

Birth outcomes in women with gestational diabetes managed by lifestyle modification alone: The PANDORA study.

AIMS: To assess outcomes of women in the Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) cohort with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed by lifestyle modification compared with women without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. METHODS: Indigenous (n = 97) and Europid (n = 113) women managed by lifestyle modification were compared to women without hyperglycaemia (n = 235). Multivariate linear and logistic regressions assessed whether GDM-lifestyle women had poorer outcomes compared to women without hyperglycaemia. RESULTS: Women with GDM-lifestyle had higher body mass index and lower gestational weight gain than women without hyperglycaemia. On univariate analysis, gestational age at delivery was lower and induction rates were higher in women with GDM-lifestyle than without hyperglycaemia. On multivariable regression, GDM-lifestyle was associated with lower gestational age at delivery (by 0.73 weeks), lower birthweight z-score (by 0.26, p = 0.007), lower likelihood of large for gestational age (LGA) [OR (95% CI): 0.55 (0.28, 1.02), p = 0.059], and greater likelihood of labour induction [2.34 (1.49, 3.66), p < 0.001] than women without hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSION: Women with GDM managed by lifestyle modification had higher induction rates and their offspring had lower birthweight z-scores, with a trend to lower LGA than those without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. Further studies are indicated to explore reasons for higher induction rates.

Health service changes to address diabetes in pregnancy in a complex setting: perspectives of health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have high rates of gestational and pre-existing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy. The Northern Territory (NT) Diabetes in Pregnancy Partnership was established to enhance systems and services to improve health outcomes. It has three arms: a clinical register, developing models of care and a longitudinal birth cohort. This study used a process evaluation to report on health professional's perceptions of models of care and related quality improvement activities since the implementation of the Partnership. METHODS: Changes to models of care were documented according to goals and aims of the Partnership and reviewed annually by the Partnership Steering group. A 'systems assessment tool' was used to guide six focus groups (49 healthcare professionals). Transcripts were coded and analysed according to pre-identified themes of orientation and guidelines, education, communication, logistics and access, and information technology. RESULTS: Key improvements since implementation of the Partnership include: health professional relationships, communication and education; and integration of quality improvement activities. Focus groups with 49 health professionals provided in depth information about how these activities have impacted their practice and models of care for diabetes in pregnancy. Co-ordination of care was reported to have improved, however it was also identified as an opportunity for further development. Recommendations included a central care coordinator, better integration of information technology systems and ongoing comprehensive quality improvement processes. CONCLUSIONS: The Partnership has facilitated quality improvement through supporting the development of improved systems that enhance models of care. Persisting challenges exist for delivering care to a high risk population however improvements in formal processes and structures, as demonstrated in this work thus far, play an important role in work towards improving health outcomes.

Parental pre-pregnancy obesity and the risk of offspring weight and body mass index change from childhood to adulthood.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of parental pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) on offspring weight and BMI change from childhood to adulthood. We analysed BMI data from a subsample of parents (n = 1494) from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy cohort that started in the early 1980s in Brisbane, Australia: data were collected at pre-pregnancy and then also for offspring at 5, 14 and 21-year follow-ups. Multiple regression for continuous outcomes and multinomial regression for categorical outcomes were performed. A total of 14.7% of offspring experienced BMI change from normal at 5 years to overweight or obese (OW/OB) at 14 years, 15.3% of normal at 14 years to OW/OB at 21 years and 22.8% from normal at 5 years to OW/OB at 21 years. Overall, the strength of the association of parental BMI with offspring BMI was stronger as offspring become older. Pre-pregnancy parental BMI differentially impacts offspring OW/OB across the life course. For every unit increase in paternal and maternal BMI z-score, offspring BMI z-score increased, on average, by between 0.15% (kg m-2 ) and 0.24% (kg m-2 ) throughout all three stages of life when both parents were OW/OB; these associations were stronger than with one parent. Parental pre-pregnancy BMI and OW/OB is a strong predictor of offspring weight and BMI change from early life to adulthood.

Glycaemic behaviour during breastfeeding in women with Type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To describe glycaemia in both breastfeeding women and artificially feeding women with Type 1 diabetes, and the changes in glycaemia induced by suckling. METHODS: A blinded continuous glucose monitor was applied for up to 6 days in eight breastfeeding and eight artificially feeding women with Type 1 diabetes 2-4 months postpartum. Women recorded glucose levels, insulin dosages, oral intake and breastfeeding episodes. A standardized breakfast was consumed on 2 days. A third group (clinic controls) were identified from a historical database. RESULTS: Carbohydrate intake tended to be higher in breastfeeding than artificially feeding women (P = 0.09) despite similar insulin requirements. Compared with breastfeeding women, the high blood glucose index and standard deviation of glucose were higher in artificially feeding women (P = 0.02 and 0.06, respectively) and in the clinical control group (P = 0.02 and 0.05, respectively). The low blood glucose index and hypoglycaemia were similar. After suckling, the low blood glucose index increased compared with before (P < 0.01) and during (P < 0.01) suckling. Hypoglycaemia (blood glucose < 4.0 mmol/l) occurred within 3 h of suckling in 14% of suckling episodes, and was associated with time from last oral intake (P = 0.04) and last rapid-acting insulin (P = 0.03). After a standardized breakfast, the area under the glucose curve was positive. In breastfeeding women the area under the glucose curve was positive if suckling was avoided for 1 h after eating and negative if suckling occurred within 30 min of eating. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding women with Type 1 diabetes had similar hypoglycaemia but lower glucose variability than artificially feeding women. Suckling reduced maternal glucose levels but did not cause hypoglycaemia in most episodes.

A Randomised Controlled Trial to Delay or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes after Gestational Diabetes: Walking for Exercise and Nutrition to Prevent Diabetes for You.

Aims. To develop a program to support behaviour changes for women with a history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2) to delay or prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods. Women diagnosed with GDM in the previous 6 to 24 months and BMI > 25 kg/m(2) were randomized to an intervention (I) (n = 16) or a control (C) (n = 15) group. The intervention was a pedometer program combined with nutrition coaching, with the primary outcome increased weight loss in the intervention group. Secondary outcomes included decreased waist and hip measurements, improved insulin sensitivity and body composition, increased physical activity, and improved self-efficacy in eating behaviours. Results. Median (IQR) results were as follows: weight: I -2.5 (2.3) kg versus C +0.2 (1.6) kg (P = 0.009), waist: I -3.6 (4.5) cm versus C -0.1 (3.6) cm (P = 0.07), and hip: I -5.0 (3.3) cm versus C -0.2 (2.6) cm (P = 0.002). There was clinical improvement in physical activity and eating behaviours and no significant changes in glucose metabolism or body composition. Conclusion. A pedometer program and nutrition coaching proved effective in supporting weight loss, waist circumference, physical activity, and eating behaviours in women with previous GDM.

Trial for Reducing Weight Retention in New Mums: a randomised controlled trial evaluating a low intensity, postpartum weight management programme.

BACKGROUND: Failure to return to pregnancy weight by 6 months postpartum is associated with long-term obesity, as well as adverse health outcomes. This research evaluated a postpartum weight management programme for women with a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg m(-2) that combined behaviour change principles and a low-intensity delivery format with postpartum nutrition information. METHODS: Women were randomised at 24-28 weeks to control (supported care; SC) or intervention (enhanced care; EC) groups, stratified by BMI cohort. At 36 weeks of gestation, SC women received a 'nutrition for breastfeeding' resource and EC women received a nutrition assessment and goal-setting session about post-natal nutrition, plus a 6-month correspondence intervention requiring return of self-monitoring sheets. Weight change, anthropometry, diet, physical activity, breastfeeding, fasting glucose and insulin measures were assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent (40 EC and 41 SC) of the 105 women approached were recruited; 36 EC and 35 SC women received a programme and 66.7% and 48.6% completed the study, respectively. No significant differences were observed between any outcomes. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] weight change was EC: -1.1 (9.5) kg versus SC: -1.1 (7.5) kg (6 weeks to 6 months) and EC: +1.0 (8.7) kg versus SC: +2.3 (9) kg (prepregnancy to 6 months). Intervention women breastfed for half a month longer than control women (180 versus 164 days; P = 0.10). An average of 2.3 out of six activity sheets per participant was returned. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low intervention engagement, the high retention rate suggests this remains an area of interest to women. Future strategies must facilitate women's engagement, be individually tailored, and include features that support behaviour change to decrease women's risk of chronic health issues.

Human placental sulfate transporter mRNA profiling from term pregnancies identifies abundant SLC13A4 in syncytiotrophoblasts and SLC26A2 in cytotrophoblasts.

Sulfate is an important nutrient for fetal growth and development. The fetus has no mechanism for producing its own sulfate and is therefore totally reliant on sulfate from the maternal circulation via placental sulfate transport. To build a model of directional sulfate transport in the placenta, we investigated the relative abundance of the 10 known sulfate transporter mRNAs in human placenta from uncomplicated term pregnancies. SLC13A4 and SLC26A2 were the most abundant sulfate transporter mRNAs, which localized to syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells, respectively. These findings indicate important physiological roles for SLC13A4 and SLC26A2 in human placental sulfate transport.

Does a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy help predict future essential hypertension? Findings from a prospective pregnancy cohort study.

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) is considered an important determinant in the prediction of future hypertension. The aim of this study is to examine whether HDP improves prediction of future hypertension, over prediction based on established risk factors measured during pregnancy. We used a community based cohort study of 2117 women who received antenatal care at a major hospital in Brisbane between 1981 and 1983 and had blood pressure assessed 21 years after the index pregnancy. Of these 2117 women, 193 (9.0%) experienced HDP and 345 (16.3%) had hypertension at 21 years postpartum. For women with HDP, the odds of being hypertensive at 21 years postpartum were 2.46 (95% CI 1.70, 3.56), adjusted for established risk factors including age, education, race, alcohol, cigarettes, exercise and body mass index. Addition of HDP did not improve the prediction model that included these established risk factors, with the area under the curve of receiver operator (AUROC) increasing from 0.710 to 0.716 (P-value for difference in AUROC=0.185). Our findings suggest that HDP is strongly and independently associated with future hypertension, and women who experience this condition should be counselled regarding lifestyle modification and careful ongoing blood pressure monitoring. However, the development of HDP during pregnancy does not improve our capacity to predict future hypertension, over risk factors identifiable at the time of pregnancy. This suggests that counseling regarding lifestyle modification and ongoing blood pressure monitoring might reasonably be provided to all pregnant and postpartum women with identifiable risk factors for future hypertension.

Insulin requirements in late pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective review.

UNLABELLED: Pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is generally associated with increased insulin requirements. AIMS: To determine the frequency and significance of declining insulin requirements in late gestation in women with T1DM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 54 women seen at our institution from 2006 to 2010 with a diagnosis of T1DM pre-pregnancy and presentation for antenatal care prior to 28 weeks. Information was collected regarding patient demographics, insulin dose and pregnancy outcome. A 15% difference in weight-adjusted basal insulin from 30 weeks gestation to delivery was considered significant. RESULTS: Five women (9.3%) had a fall of 15% or more and 23 (42.5%) had a rise of 15% or more rise in insulin requirements. There were fewer neonatal intensive care admissions but more infants with an APGAR <8 at 5 min in women with a fall in insulin requirements. These differences were not evident when the data were re-analysed by quartiles of change. CONCLUSIONS: In most women with T1DM, insulin requirements show little change from 30 weeks gestation until delivery. Almost 10% of women had a significant fall in insulin requirements which did not correlate with adverse neonatal outcome. These results require validation in a larger, prospective trial.

Associations of serum vitamin D concentrations with obstetric glucose metabolism in a subset of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study cohort.

AIMS: To assess associations between maternal serum vitamin D concentration and glucose metabolism in a cohort of pregnant women living in an Australian subtropical environment. METHODS: Cross-sectional assessment of 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations in 399 Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome ancillary study participants, treated at an obstetric teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. All patients underwent a blinded 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-32 (target 28) weeks' gestation. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) fasting plasma glucose was 4.5 ± 0.4 mmol/l. Mean (± standard deviation) serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D was 132.5 ± 44.0 nmol/l. A difference of one standard deviation in maternal 25-hydroxy vitamin D was inversely related to fasting glucose (fasting glucose lower by 0.047 mmol/l, P=0.012) when assessed with multiple linear regression after adjusting for confounders. Maternal 25-hydroxy vitamin D correlated with ß-cell function as estimated by the log-transformed homeostasis model assessment-ß-cell function equation (r=0.131, P=0.009), but not with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: An association between mid-gestational 25-hydroxy vitamin D and fasting glucose was confirmed in a largely normoglycaemic and vitamin D-replete pregnant population. The correlation between 25-hydroxy vitamin D and ß-cell function suggests that vitamin D may influence glucose metabolism through this mechanism. Intervention studies are required to determine causality and the role of vitamin D replacement in deficient individuals.

Ductus venosus velocimetry in monitoring pregnancy in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to assess the ability of ductus venosus (DV) Doppler velocimetry to predict adverse perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by pre-existing diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary referral obstetric facility in Brisbane, Australia. The study group included women with pregestational diabetes mellitus who delivered in the hospital between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2006. The DV Doppler index was defined as abnormal if the DV peak velocity index for veins (PVIV) was equal to or greater than the 95(th) percentile for gestation. Adverse perinatal outcome included one or more of the following criteria: small-for-gestational-age infant; Cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal status; fetal acidemia at delivery; a 1-min Apgar score of

Subclinical hypothyroidism and related biochemical entities in pregnancy: implications and management.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), thyroid autoimmunity and isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia are diagnoses made on laboratory findings. The two former conditions are commonly identified in the general population, while the term isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia was developed to highlight potential neurodevelopmental risks in progeny. Each entity has been associated with either obstetric, perinatal and/or child developmental harm in observational studies, although few interventional trials have been performed to guide diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Once diagnosed, treatment of SCH is recommended by endocrine groups to limit potential risk, given that harm from appropriate therapy is unlikely. Screening for thyroid disorders in pregnancy has traditionally been controversial. Definitive trials are expected to report over coming years and updated consensus guidelines will hopefully resolve this issue.

Pregnancy in type 2 diabetes mellitus--problems & promises.

The parallel epidemics of obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are progressing rapidly in Australia. The high prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyle in the population, compounded by later child bearing, has led to an increase in the prevalence of T2DM pre-dating pregnancy. In some centers, pregnant women with T2DM now outnumber those with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Although there is controversy as to whether T2DM is associated with worse outcomes than T1DM in pregnancy, modern reports clearly acknowledge the seriousness of this condition. There is a clear association between obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes (cesarean section, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, birth defects and prematurity). Aside from obesity and the metabolic syndrome, additional factors may contribute to these adverse outcomes: A lack of preconception planning, a failure to achieve tight glycaemic control early in pregnancy and socio-economic disadvantage. It's likely that obesity and diabetes have compounding effects on pregnancy outcomes. In this review, we evaluate both the underlying pathogenesis of T2DM and obesity in the pregnancy context and the adverse clinical maternal and perinatal outcomes described in pregnancies complicated by maternal T2DM and obesity. We highlight the need for a comprehensive strategy to improve clinical outcomes in these pregnancies.

Placental growth hormone, fetal growth and the IGF axis in normal and diabetic pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-gestational diabetes are known to pose risks to the mother and developing fetus, often related to abnormal fetal growth. One potential mediator of maternal effects on fetal growth is Placental Growth Hormone (PGH). PGH is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast and found predominantly in the maternal circulation. It progressively replaces pituitary growth hormone (hGH) in the human maternal circulation from mid-gestation onwards, peaking towards term. PGH appears to be an important potential regulator of maternal insulin resistance in human pregnancy and may influence fetal growth both by modifying substrate availability and through paracrine actions in the placental bed. The details of PGH regulation remain relatively poorly understood, but current evidence does suggest a central role in growth restricted pregnancies. There is currently less evidence of a pathophysiologic role in production of the macrosomic fetal phenotype commonly seen in response to hyperglycaemia, although our recent in vitro studies do raise the possibility of feto-placental feedback as a mechanism of growth modulation.

[Gestational diabetes in East Africa: a mostly disregarded disease?]. / Schwangerschaftsdiabetes in Ostafrika: eine Erkrankung, die zu wenig Beachtung findet?

The majority of all deliveries worldwide take place in the so-called developing world. Most recent epidemiological data have shown that the number of cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes in pregnancy is steadily increasing worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of gestational diabetes in East Africa. Intrauterine exposure to the metabolic environment of maternal diabetes increases the risk of altered glucose homeostasis in the offspring, producing a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in the next generation. Our preliminary results from an East African tertiary referral center show that in the year 2007 3.1% of all newborns had a birth weight of more than 4,000 g (mean 4,300 g, range 4,000- 5,600 g). During the same time period, the mean birth weight in the general population was only 3,046 g (range 600-3,200 g). Hence, personal experience in East Africa has convinced the authors that diabetes in pregnancy is grossly neglected. Besides infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, the African continent is increasingly facing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes in pregnancy.

[The dilemma of diabetes in pregnancy: worldwide differences in diagnosis and management]. / Dilemma Schwangerschaftsdiabetes: Weltweite Unterschiede in Diagnostik und Therapie.

OBJECTIVE: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy as well as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pose major risks to mother and fetus. We assessed to which extent two obstetric centers on two different continents coincide in their management of diabetes in pregnancy. METHODS: Within the scope of research activities between the Obstetric Department of the Medical University of Graz, Austria, and the Centre of Obstetric Medicine at the Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, current practices among the two obstetric centers in Austria and Australia were assessed. RESULTS: The management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy was almost identical, whereas major differences were found in the management of GDM. CONCLUSION: Standardization of screening methods in diabetes in pregnancy remains challenging. National and international consensus has yet to be achieved in order to put a hold to the 'diabetic epidemic' we are going to face in the future.

Fetal growth patterns in fetuses of women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of glucose control on the rate of growth of fetuses in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2). METHODS: All pregestational diabetic women booked at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2002, were included. Pregnancies with congenital fetal anomalies, multiple pregnancies, and pregnancies terminated prior to 20 weeks' gestation were excluded. Dating scans were performed before 14 weeks' gestation and serial scans were performed at 18, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Fetal parameters, including biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference, were recorded. The daily growth rates for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were calculated and compared with those in a low-risk (non-diabetic) population. The growth rates in fetuses of women with satisfactory diabetic control (HbA1c < 6.5%) and unsatisfactory control (HbA1c > or = 6.5%) in the three trimesters were compared. RESULTS: A total of 174 diabetic pregnancies were included and a total of 997 ultrasound scans were performed. The growth rates for fetuses of mothers with diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than for those in the low-risk population. The z-scores for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were 0.18, 0.59 and 1.44, respectively. Fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the first trimester had significantly greater fetal abdominal area growth rate than those with normal HbA1c (fetal abdominal area z-score of 1.7 vs. 0.75, P = 0.009). Although the fetal abdominal area z-scores in fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the second or third trimesters were also higher than those with normal HbA1c levels, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Maternal obesity did not influence the fetal growth rate. CONCLUSION: The rate of growth of fetuses of diabetic mothers differs from that of the normal population. Growth acceleration persists until the late third trimester. Moreover, periconceptional glucose control appears to have a significant effect on accelerated growth of the fetal abdominal area.