Medical Student University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is commonly encountered in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) born to women with pre-gestational diabetes. LVH in IDMs was previously believed to be largely benign, although more recent reports have suggested that it may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Objective: We aim to assess the relationship between LVH in IDMs and postnatal length of hospital stay. Design/Methods: This project is approved by the IRB at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. We have retrospectively collected data on mothers with pre-gestational diabetes (types 1 or 2) who received care from UAMS’ maternal-fetal medicine specialists from 2015 to 2021. Mother/infant dyads were included if infants received an echocardiogram in the first week of life, and did not have congenital heart disease other than patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and/or ventricular septal defect. The primary predictor will be left ventricular mass (LVM) z-score using normative values from the Pediatric Heart Network; the primary outcome will be total hospital length of stay (LOS). Measurements of the left ventricle have already been independently performed by two cardiologists, and the average was taken; intraclass correlation coefficient between readers was 0.926 (excellent agreement). We will perform single linear regression to assess the relationship between LVM z-score and LOS. We will also dichotomize LOS at 7 days and assess whether other neonatal and maternal variables are associated with LOS >7 days in univariate analysis; significantly associated factors (p < 0.2) will be included as covariates in a multivariable model. Data have already been collected and statistical analyses and conclusion will be completed by January 2024.
