Objective: To compare the frequency of asymmetric septal hypertrophy in appropriate for gestational age infants born to diabetic mothers with those born to non-diabetic mothers.
Methods: We compared 38 full term infants born to diabetic mothers with 85 full term infants of non-diabetic mothers. 2-D echocardiography was obtained in the first 24 hours after birth.
Results: Asymmetric septal hypertrophy was only present in infants born to diabetic mothers (50% vs. 0%; P<0.001). Intraventricular septum thickness and intraventricular septum/posterior wall of the left ventricle ratio was also significantly higher in the first group (P<0.001). We found no correlation between mother´s glycated hemoglobin levels and intraventricular septum thickness in newborns.
Conclusion: Asymmetric septal hypertrophy is a common finding in infants born to diabetic mothers, even if they are appropriate for gestational age.