Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction at 3D transperineal ultrasound in maternal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study during pregnancy.

AIM: This study aimed to assess, for the first time, the dynamic morphometry of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) using three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound (3D-TPUS) and its progression at two-time points of gestation between women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and whether the PFM dysfunction is connected to GDM. METHODS: The study comprised 83 consecutive pregnant women with (n = 38) and without (n = 45) GDM screened at 24-30 and 38-40 weeks of gestation. 3D-TPUS and a mobility test were used to quantify PFM dynamic morphometry during maximum contraction and the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: When compared to the control group, GDM women had no significant variations in all levator hiatal dimensions at 24-30 weeks of gestation. Meanwhile, women with GDM experienced an increase in levator hiatal area (LHa) (p < 0.000) during PFM contraction and enlargement in LHa (p < 0.001) during Valsalva maneuver (p = 0.010) at 38-40 weeks of gestation. As a result, the mobility index among GDM women had a lower value (p = 0.000). The dynamic morphometry development of PFM in GDM women at two stages during pregnancy revealed a substantial decrease (p = 0.000) in all LHa dimensions of contraction, distension, and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Using 3D-TPUS, we found that GDM women had a specific pattern of PFM functional changes in the third trimester of pregnancy. These initial findings revealed alterations in PFM functionality, such as decreased contractility, distensibility, or mobility. This dysfunctional PFM could contribute to the long-term development of pelvic floor dysfunction years after a GDM pregnancy.

Prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus increases developmental defects in the enamel of offspring.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with short- and long-term maternal and perinatal repercussions. Our objective was to evaluate the long-term consequences of intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia on Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) in offspring. RESULTS: Overall, 50 children of women with GDM and 250 children of normoglycemic women participated, the latter serving as controls. Children were examined at the age between 3 and 12 years. In addition to physical examination, two independent observers examined and rated photographs to identify specific types of DDE in a blinded fashion. Among offspring of mothers with GDM, rates of DDE (all types combined) and hypoplasia (specific type) were significantly higher (p<0.001, p = 0.04), in comparison to offspring of normoglycemic mothers. Considering only the affected teeth (1060 in GDM category; 5499 in controls), rates of DDE (all types combined) were significantly higher for total teeth (p <0.001) and deciduous teeth (p<0.001), but not permanent teeth. In specific types of DDE involving deciduous teeth, rates of demarcate opacity were significantly higher (p<0.001; canine and 2nd mandibular molars) and hypoplasia (p <0.001; 2nd maxillary molars and 2nd mandibular molars). In permanent teeth, the rate of diffuse opacity in association with GDM was significantly higher (p<0.001; maxillary central incisors and 1st maxillary molars). CONCLUSION: GDM was associated with the adverse effects of DDE on offspring. This study lays the foundation for future studies to determine the impact of GDM on long-term risk of DDE.