Quantification of the subcutaneous fat layer with MRI in fetuses of healthy mothers with no underlying metabolic disease vs. fetuses of diabetic and obese mothers

Abstract

The SCFL of normally developed fetuses is easily detectable from GW 29 on T1-weighted images (T1-W), and increases with gestational age. The presented data provide physiological benchmarks to evaluate developmental status and may help in the prenatal diagnosis of abnormal growth and macrosomia. In pregnant women with well-controlled GDM, an increase of the SCFL is not expected.