Ultrasound-Guided Prospective Screening for Spinal Dysraphism in Offspring of Mothers With Pregestational Diabetes: A Pilot Study.

AIM: Determine the utility of prospective spinal ultrasound in infants of mothers with pregestational diabetes (PGDM) for the diagnosis of closed spinal dysraphism (SDs).

METHODS

This prospective observational pilot study was completed at a tertiary care center between May 1, 2020 and December 30, 2022. Infants born to mothers with PGDM and with normal spinal physical examinations were included. A total of 25 mother-infant dyads were enrolled in the study and prospectively screened with spinal ultrasound. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier-NCT05033275).

RESULTS

Twenty-five spinal ultrasounds were performed over the course of this study with three (8%) resulting in abnormal findings that required further imaging. Follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging found one case of tethered cord syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Prospective screening in infants of mothers with PGDM found one case of tethered cord syndrome. This finding suggests that risk stratified screening of mothers with diabetes might be a reasonable approach to care.